Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum have formally endorsed Australia’s ambition to host the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31) in 2026. This support comes amid pressing global conversations on climate change, underscoring the conference’s significance as an event potentially centered on Pacific nations. During the 2025 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, the leaders collectively highlighted the critical urgency of addressing climate challenges that pose the greatest threat to the livelihoods and security of the Pacific peoples.
The statement from these leaders reiterated their commitment to the Boe Declaration on Regional Security and the Kainaki II Declaration for Urgent Climate Change Action, both of which emphasize a shared regional focus on the existential threat of climate change. Additionally, the leaders noted the importance of complying with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to bolster regional and global sustainability initiatives.
Positioning COP31 as a “Pacific COP,” the leaders expressed their intent to ensure that vulnerable countries’ needs are amplified on the international stage, particularly emphasizing the necessity of maintaining global temperatures within the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement. This ongoing support for Australia’s bid, co-hosted with Pacific Island nations, is a strategic move to accelerate international climate action and consolidate regional priorities.
Australia’s bid to host COP31 is not without competition, as Turkey remains a contender for hosting rights. Nevertheless, Australia’s proposition has attracted considerable backing from Pacific nations eager for a summit that could spotlight the unique climate challenges affecting the region and potentially lead to transformative international cooperation.
Establishing the Pacific Resilience Facility was one of the notable steps toward ensuring a resilient future for the region. This initiative, alongside other regional efforts, underscores the Pacific’s active role in shaping solutions to global issues, reinforcing their leadership in climate advocacy.
By backing Australia’s host bid, Pacific leaders highlight a collective approach toward a crucial global issue that equally advances regional stakeholder involvement. This unified front aims to foster a climate conference dedicated to impactful, swift action, reflecting a common desire for meaningful progress on climate issues affecting vulnerable island territories. As nations rally around this climate leadership endeavor, the Pacific continues to be a beacon of solidarity and proactive environmental advocacy.
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