Pacific Islands Forum backs Australia’s COP31 bid, framing it as a Pacific COP to push climate action
Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers have expressed strong backing for Australia’s bid to co-host the United Nations COP31 climate summit in 2026, describing the arrangement as a Pacific COP designed to elevate regional priorities on the world stage. In a statement issued after their meeting, the ministers emphasized that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of Pacific peoples and a barrier to achieving regional and global development goals.
The ministers reaffirmed the Forum’s support for hosting COP31 in partnership with Australia, and their commitment to ensuring Pacific voices are heard at the highest levels of international decision-making. They stressed urgency in mobilizing global action to keep warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius and highlighted regional resilience initiatives such as the Pacific Resilience Facility as evidence of concrete steps already underway.
In their statement, the ministers pledged to advocate for vulnerable countries and accelerate practical action in line with the Paris Agreement and the 1.5°C goal. They underscored the need to refocus international efforts on tangible policies and investments that deliver sustainable energy, climate resilience, and adaptation for island communities.
Regional backing for the bid is growing. Palau’s leadership has publicly expressed support, linking regional unity and investments in clean energy to the success of COP31. Fiji and other Pacific voices have similarly signaled that hosting the summit in the Pacific would spotlight vulnerabilities while demonstrating climate leadership and an ability to mobilize climate finance and renewable energy ambitions. The ministers noted that a Pacific-hosted COP could catalyze investments and strengthen regional cohesion in the face of existential climate threats.
The push comes amid broader diplomatic dynamics surrounding COP31. The decision on the host must be unanimously agreed within the Western Europe and Others Group, with some discussions pointing to a final determination at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Critics and supporters alike see value in bringing a high-profile, outcome-focused conference to the Pacific, provided it translates into real climate action, finance, and energy transition for the region.
What this could mean going forward
– A Pacific-hosted COP31 would likely spotlight renewable energy deployment, climate finance, and loss-and-damage provisions for small island developing states.
– The summit could help align domestic energy and climate policies with regional priorities, potentially attracting new investments in clean energy projects across Pacific nations.
– Australia’s leadership role would be tested by domestic and regional expectations, including accountability on fossil fuel phaseouts and adherence to commitments that benefit Pacific partners.
Additional context and outlook
The Pacific’s backing reflects a broader mood across the region that bold climate leadership is needed and that hosting COP31 could serve as a catalyst for accelerated action. Observers note that, beyond ceremonial hosting, the effectiveness of COP31 will hinge on delivering concrete commitments—financing, technology transfer, and accelerated adaptation—tailored to Pacific realities. If consensus proves elusive before COP30, discussions about accommodations or alternative arrangements may arise, but the prevailing tone from Pacific leaders is one of hopeful momentum toward a Pacific-led path for climate action.
In summary, the Pacific Islands Forum’s renewed support for Australia’s COP31 bid reinforces a shared objective: to secure a high-profile, action-oriented climate summit that centers vulnerable nations, advances the 1.5°C objective, and strengthens regional collaboration on resilience and sustainable energy. This momentum also signals a broader push for meaningful climate leadership from the Pacific on the global stage.
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