Nadi, 22nd February, 2024 — Today, amidst a groundswell of international support, Pacific civil society organisations, joined by faith, youth, and indigenous communities, have launched The Naiuli Declaration for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. 

The Naiuli Declaration marks a significant milestone in the global movement for climate as the first declaration of support for the treaty from a region’s civil society organisations. It was presented to Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Fiji, receiving it as a representative of the 12 Governments who are calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty from the youngest representatives of Pacific climate groups gathered for the Pacific Strategy Retreat. 

The Naiuli Declaration demands an unequivocal commitment from Pacific leaders for a Just and Equitable Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific by the thirtieth meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP30) to the UNFCCC Framework Agreement. This commitment empowers the Pacific to spearhead the unqualified, global, just, and equitable phase-out of coal, oil, and gas production in line with limiting warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels through a global governance framework, namely, a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Rev. James Bhagwan, steering committee member of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), says:

“The Naiuli Declaration is not just a declaration. It’s the setting of an agenda for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific. It is a manifesto. It is a vision that we have for our Pacific—one which thousands are joining around the world. Because the Pacific is taking a lead on this, it’s important we envisage what that could look like. And the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is the way forward. It is a covenant for governments, for communities, and for creation.”

Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Fiji, who received the declaration on behalf of the Fiji government, says:

“While our political leaders spearhead our collective efforts, we recognise and applaud the crucial role played by Pacific civil society. Your relentless pursuit of ambitious and innovative solutions continues to captivate global audiences—from the Pacific-led campaign for an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Climate Change, to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty—formally endorsed first by our Pacific Neighbours Vanuatu and Tuvalu. Tonight, having received this declaration, we weave these two strands of work—the political and civil society, creating a united and resounding voice. The Fiji Government reaffirms our support for the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific and in doing so, we join the chorus of voices advocating for the development of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, a commitment solidified at the UN talks in Bonn in June 2023. 

We recognise Fossil Fuels as the primary driver of the climate crisis and the Fiji Government stands ready to lead, collaborate, and negotiate for the planet and for future generations—and we extend a hand in partnership acknowledging the urgency of this task and recognizing that genuine partnerships with civil society organisations are crucial for success.”

Archbishop Peter Loy Chong of Suva, Fiji, also delivered a speech during the event, saying:

“Policy and development is built on narrative. Australia is a big coal mining country and is already spreading its tentacles to influence the Pacific and what is going on here. So I’m really happy that the Naiuli Declaration is taking place here because we need to have the right narrative, and hold on to the truth so that our region and politicians are not dependent on other nations for the narrative. I want to applaud Pacific civil society for coming up with the main narrative to talk about fossil fuels. This is where we have to go in order to promote a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific.”

In March 2023, a bloc of six Pacific countries - Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Niue - made a resounding call for a global phase-out of fossil fuels in the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific. The momentum behind the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty has been steadily building, with the Treaty initiative journeying through the Pacific and gaining traction at various regional ministerial meetings—all the way up to the international climate stage at COP28, where it secured 4 new country endorsements. 

Today, the Naiuli Declaration builds upon these wins by serving as the North Star for climate ambition, demanding the highest level of ambition not only from Pacific leaders but from governments around the world. The Declaration empowers civil society to lobby governments, particularly at the 4th Small Islands Developing States conference in Antigua and Barbuda in May, as well as the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in August in Tonga, and COP29 in Azerbaijan in November, where the fight for a financed equitable fossil fuel phaseout is bound to take centre stage.

Governments worldwide are urged to join the growing coalition, which now includes 12 nation-states, namely, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Niue, Antigua and Barbuda, Timor-Leste, Palau, Colombia, Samoa, and Nauru. They are backed by over 100 cities, thousands of scientists, and more than 2,200 organizations and institutions, including the European Parliament and the World Health Organization.

The Naiuli Declaration reaffirms the collective commitment of Pacific civil society to drive forward the ambition of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. As the global community confronts the urgent need for climate action, the Pacific region stands united in its call for a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.