The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, has announced key preparations for the upcoming 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), which will see significant events hosted in the Pacific region. Prime Minister Manele confirmed that Fiji will host the COP31 Pre-COP Meeting in October 2026, with a special Leaders component scheduled to take place in Tuvalu.
In his statement, Prime Minister Manele mentioned that this meeting is set to build on a special climate event during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, which will be held in Palau in early September. This announcement follows an agreement made last year between Australia and Türkiye, designating the Pacific as the venue for pre-COP events leading up to the global summit.
The Pre-COP meetings are vital as they provide a platform for nations to align their priorities and foster consensus prior to official climate negotiations. Manele emphasized the importance of the Pacific’s role in these discussions, noting that this event is an opportunity for the most vulnerable nations to lead on climate issues, while also encouraging the world’s most powerful countries to engage and listen.
The upcoming leaders’ meeting in Palau is viewed as a critical juncture for regional collaboration and unity. According to Manele, this meeting will serve as a pivotal moment to solidify the region’s position and set expectations for partnerships. The outcomes from this gathering will inform coordinated advocacy efforts through the United Nations General Assembly and the Pre-COP engagements, ultimately leading to a strong Pacific presence at COP31.
Prime Minister Manele expressed gratitude to Australia for its support in facilitating this process and reaffirmed the region’s preparedness to host high-level climate events. He acknowledged the wealth of experience within the Pacific nations in navigating the complexities of climate negotiations and hosting significant events, asserting their readiness to work closely with the governments of Palau, Fiji, and Tuvalu throughout this process. This collaboration reflects a hopeful commitment to address the critical challenges posed by climate change in a united front.
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