By Gabby Abariga (Melanesian News Network)
Mr Exsley Taloiburi, who is currently engaged as Deputy Director β Disaster and Community Resilience Programme for the Pacific Community (SPC) in Suva, Fiji, has become the first Solomon Islander to secure a senior position with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) based in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea.
The proud North Malaitan will join the GCF Secretariat in South Korea as the βHead of Multilateral Governance and Observer Engagementβ, starting a 3-year contract on 3 March 2025.
The Green Climate Fund is the worldβs largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the world. By the end of 2023, GCF had a portfolio of 243 projects in 129 countries, committing a total of USD 13.5 billion.
In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support GCFβs new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; with an ambition to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030.
As one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, Solomon Islands has already accessed USD 86 million support from the Green Climate Fund for the Tina River Hydropower Project, which is expected to reduce Honiara Cityβs reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity with expected reduction in power bills in Honiara.
In Mr Taloiburiβs new role with the GCF, he will lead the Green Climate Fundβs engagement in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process, strengthen GCFβs complementarity and coherence with other multilateral climate funds, multilateral development banks and foundations, and promote GCFβs meaningful engagement with civil societyΒ and private sector organisations.
Prior to joining the Pacific Community (SPC), Exsley had worked in Brussels, Belgium, as Expert β Climate Change and Resilience with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) covering 79 developing country member states and spent 11 years with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, as Team Leader for Resilience and Climate Finance Adviser.
Mr Taloiburi hopes that with him being part of the GCF Secretariat, he would be able to contribute to the fundβs policies and decision making to ensure Pacific Island Countriesβ unique context is properly understood and access procedures simplified.
Exsley is also encouraging young Solomon Islanders who are in school or early to mid-level of their career to work hard, be passionate about their work, and set clear aims and goals as the sky is the limit.
This appointment is indeed another high end achievement for we fellow Melanesians from our Blue Pacific Ocean.
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