The Pacific wind howls across Funafuti, a constant reminder of the fragile balance between land and sea in Tuvalu. Here, where the ocean rise is measured in centimeters but its impact in existential stakes, Sa’aga Talu Teafa stands as both a custodian and an architect. His career, a progression from civil servant to Tuvalu’s first Chief Ombudsman, and now Minister of Natural Resources Development mirrors the nation’s own journey: a dogged but unyielding fight for survival against the relentless tide of climate change. That struggle reached a grim milestone in 2025, when the first climate migrants left the remote island nation under an agreement with Australia. Despite this reality, Sa’aga’s leadership continues to thrive on action rather than empty rhetoric. For him, climate action is not just about survival; it’s about prosperity.
Beyond funding: the Kiwa Initiative’s Pacific-led model
For Sa’aga the Kiwa Initiative is more than a funding mechanism; it is a driver for systemic change. Working closely with Tuvalu, it provides technical support and helps design and implement Nature-based Solutions that strengthen the country’s capacities. His vision extends beyond Tuvalu’s shores, emphasizing the need for partnerships. "We need increased regional collaboration for readiness, and we need it now. Tuvalu’s Nature-based Solutions joint projects can be a model for other islands," he states.
"The Kiwa Initiative is a demonstrator. It’s not just about funding; it’s about trust and proving that local knowledge is as vital as scientific data." He remains vocal about the complexity of climate finance. "Looking at the requirements to meet climate funds, they are quite difficult to meet; we must be movers and shakers, not just recipients," he admits.
Adaptation in action
While the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP), funded primarily by the Green Climate Fund and the Government of Tuvalu, focuses on large-scale infrastructure like reclaiming land and building coastal defenses, the Kiwa Initiative plays a complementary role, ensuring that Tuvalu’s adaptation strategy is both holistic and locally grounded. Together, these efforts embody a vision where resilience is built not just through engineering, but through the revival of local and traditional knowledge and the empowerment of communities. In this matter, Sa’aga champions Nature-based Solutions as the foundation of Tuvalu’s adaptation strategy, reviving traditional practices like pulaka pits (traditional underground gardens for growing taro) and rainwater harvesting integrated with contemporary irrigation techniques. As Tuvalu prepares of the pre-COP31 prepare for Fiji (October 5-8), ahead of the main COP31 summit in Antalya, Turkey (November 9-20), the experienced politician is determined to shift the global narrative, proving that Nature-based Solutions are practical and transformative: "NbS must be positioned as a non-negotiable pillar of Pacific climate action. We must highlight their co-benefits — livelihoods, biodiversity, cultural preservation — and integrate them into national and regional climate strategies, UN Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and adaptation plans. This is not just about survival; it’s about justice and sovereignty."
In Sa’aga Talu Teafa, Tuvalu has found more than a minister: a leader whose strategies reflect both the urgency of scientific warnings and the hope of practical action. With initiatives like NbS advocacy and TCAP creating new land designed to stay above projected sea levels beyond 2100, his work embodies the balance between immediate survival and long-term vision.
