New York, 24 September 2026 — Tuvalu and Ireland today presented their shared vision for the second Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (TAFF-2), which they will co-host in Tuvalu in 2027. At a side event during the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the co-hosts invited governments and partners to help turn the pathways discussed at the first conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, into practical action.

Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo said the transition is an urgent question of energy security and economic resilience for Tuvalu. Like many small island developing States, Tuvalu faces the impacts of climate change while relying on fossil fuels imported across thousands of kilometres of ocean at prices it cannot control.

“When we speak about transitioning away from fossil fuels, we are speaking not only about reducing emissions,” Prime Minister Teo said. “We are speaking about our energy security. We are speaking about our economic resilience. And ultimately, we are speaking about our sovereignty and our ability to determine our own development future.”

Tuvalu and Ireland’s proposed vision, “From Pathways to Delivery: Making the Transition Possible for Every Country,” asks a practical question: what is preventing countries from transitioning away from fossil fuels, and what can they do together to remove those barriers?

Hon. Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia, Tuvalu’s Minister for Climate Change and Environment, outlined three linked pillars for the process: plan the transition, finance the transition, and transform the real economy. These would give countries space to identify barriers arising from their different circumstances and connect national priorities with suitable finance and technical support.

Representing Ireland at the event, Timmy Dooley T.D. Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Fisheries and the Marine, emphasised Ireland’s commitment to the working with Tuvalu to bring this process forward. “Ireland is honoured to be co-hosting the Second International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels. The transition away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy is now inevitable and we must collectively plan for it. It is crucial that the Second Conference moves from discussions to implementation. What are the barriers that impede countries’ ability to transition and how do we address them?

Prime Minister Teo urged participants to help shape the conference: “Come with a challenge you are prepared to work on. Come with an idea, an initiative, finance, technology or expertise that can help another country move forward.”

Minister Talia said Tuvalu would bring the spirit of Tuakoi—the values and responsibilities of being good neighbours—to its partnership with Ireland and to the wider process. The co-hosts will seek ideas from countries and partners as they develop TAFF-2, including from voices that were not sufficiently represented at the first conference.