4. Question No. 4—Foreign AffairsGOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsQuestion No. 4—Foreign Affairs4. GOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What advice has she received if any about the effects of climate change-related events on New Zealand's Overseas Development Assistance programmes?Hon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO (Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs) on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs: I thank the member from the Green Party for their important question. It is particularly relevant given the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report released last night which underscored the significant impacts climate change will have on the Pacific and other small islands. It is no secret that Pacific Island countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and climate change remains the most significant issue facing the Pacific region despite contributing little to global emissions. I am advised she has received a number of pieces of advice to that effect which covers climate finance climate migration sea-level rise maritime boundaries as well as significant general advice given. This is a priority area for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) including in the overseas development assistance programme. We are on track to meet our climate finance commitment made in 2018 to provide at least $300 million in climate finance over four years with at least two-thirds to the Pacific.Golriz Ghahraman: How is New Zealand's overseas development assistance being directed to help vulnerable nations address the impacts of climate change which the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights says will mean even under the best-case scenario hundreds of millions will face food insecurity forced migration disease and death"?Hon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO: On behalf of the Minister as I have previously said we know climate change is having an impact in the Pasifika region and that is why we continue to work in this area and why it is a priority area for MFAT. Building resilience to climate change remains at the heart of New Zealand's engagement with the Pacific as we move through COVID-19 response and recovery phases. New Zealand's current climate finance commitment of at least $300 million over four years 2019 to 2022 announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 will see at least two-thirds of our climate finance targeted at the Pacific and at least 50 percent for adaptation aligning with the Pacific's priorities and I am advised that we are on track to fulfil this commitment.Golriz Ghahraman: Does she think that the best way for New Zealand to assist with climate change - related events is to reduce emissions and therefore does she support a stronger nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement to align with the targets of other comparable countries?Hon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO: On behalf of the Minister yes and it will come as no surprise to people that climate change is having an impact on the Pacific. That is why as a Government we are committed to working in this area why we have advocated for the Pacific in a large number of international forums and why we continue to fund and support programmes in the Pacific. Some examples of our activities in the Pacific include supporting the Pacific Climate Change Centre to be established as a knowledge hub and centre of excellence in the region; supporting research and regional dialogue on climate migration in partnership with the International Organization for Migration; providing water tanks to Tuvalu to assist with water security in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force; working in partnership with the Department of Conservation Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Programme (SPREP) to combat invasive alien species in the region; and supporting Pacific Island countries to more effectively and efficiently access climate finance in partnership with SPREP.Golriz Ghahraman: Does she agree that New Zealand's assistance to other countries to reduce emissions must be backed with strong climate action at home; if not why not?Hon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO: I can only speak for the work of MFAT who see their work in the Pacific region around climate change as a priority. I know this Government also has a strong commitment to climate change that is being led by the Prime Minister but specific questions on New Zealand's climate change policy should be directed to the Minister for Climate Change who is sitting right across here a Minister I work closely with and respect."