Fiji, Nov. 12 -- Green Climate Fund (GCF) Executive Director Mafalda Duarte has challenged countries to follow Solomon Islands' lead in supporting global climate finance, describing its US$400,000 pledge towards the Fund's next replenishment as a historic demonstration of leadership and solidarity.

Duarte said it was significant that Solomon Islands, a country classified as both a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) and a Least Developed Country (LDC), had made the first pledge to the GCF's next replenishment cycle.

"This is a historic moment for the Green Climate Fund, and a powerful message to the world," Duarte said.

She said countries that had contributed least to climate change but faced some of its most devastating consequences ...