Fiji to lead Pacific voice at Pre-COP 31 meeting in October

Fiji will host the Pre-COP 31 climate meeting from the 5th to the 8th of October this year ahead of the global United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conference.

While speaking on Fiji's preparation to host Pre-COP meeting during her ministrial statement, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Linda Tabuya says the meeting is a key political platform where ministers and senior officials will test political ground, narrow differences and prepare for final negotiations at COP 31 which will be held in Antalya, in Turkey.

She says hosting the meeting places Fiji and the Pacific at the centre of global climate diplomacy at a critical time and highlights that the region is not only vulnerable to climate change but is organized and ready to lead on solutions.

She says Pacific climate ministers have also appointed three special envoys to represent regional priorities, with Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu named as Ocean Envoy, while Kristina Stege of the Marshall Islands will serve as Mitigation Envoy and Ruel Yamuna of Papua New Guinea as Climate Finance Envoy.

Tabuya says the envoys will help push for stronger global action to keep the 1.5 degree temperature target within reach, improve access to climate finance and promote ocean based solutions that are critical to Pacific livelihoods.

She says preparations for the meeting are well underway, with a national taskforce coordinating logistics, security and accreditation, and more than 1,000 participants expected to attend events in the Nadi–Denarau area with support from Australia.

Tabuya adds that success will not only be measured by smooth organisation, but by whether Fiji is able to help deliver meaningful political progress ahead of COP 31.

In response, Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has welcomed the initiative, saying it provides an important opportunity for Fiji to show leadership and highlight the challenges faced by small island developing states.

He says while Fiji may be a small island developing state with limited global influence, the focus is on ensuring the country remains relevant in global climate discussions through strong leadership.

He says it is important for Fiji to work closely with developed countries under the Paris Agreement, noting that global climate negotiations rely on consensus.

Seruiratu adds that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius remains the Pacific’s top priority as it is critical to the survival of island nations.