At a @wellcometrust #PreCOP31 dialogue in Fiji, I was proud to recognise what Pacific youth have achieved. Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change remind us that those closest to the climate crisis must help shape its solutions. As a Tongan, I’m proud this journey began with young people from our region. The recent @CIJ_ICJ advisory opinion reinforces a vital truth: the climate crisis is a health crisis. I shared three implications for our health work: ➡️ Urgent protection We have a stronger legal foundation for bold, science-based climate action ➡️ Robust preparation We need early warning, disease surveillance and continued operational capacity when disaster strikes. ➡️ Equitable protection Climate action must reach the people and places that are most exposed and least able to adapt. As we head to #COP31 in Türkiye, let’s put these lessons into action.

Climate change has long been a health emergency. It’s past time we treated it that way. At #UNGA81, I had valuable conversations with Minister @LyndaTabuya of Fiji, Dr Andrew Jones of @spc_cps and @EnvoyRmi from the Marshall Islands. One message was clear: climate and health cannot be treated as separate issues. As a Pacific Islander, I know this is not abstract. It is about our families, freshwater, food, homes, and the health services people rely on when crisis strikes. We need to act: → Bring climate and health financing together. → Make health facilities climate-resilient. → Recognize Pacific knowledge and leadership. As we head towards #preCOP in Fiji and Tuvalu, we must keep speaking with one voice: climate action is health action. #COP31