In anticipation of COP31, to be held in Türkiye in November, Pacific Island nations Fiji, Palau, and Tuvalu are gearing up to host international leaders and climate change ministers. These nations aim to spotlight the severe impact of climate change on their territories, urging larger polluting countries to take significant action towards emission reductions. The pre-COP meetings in the Pacific are seen as a strategic move to elevate the voice of smaller nations adversely affected by climate change, raising awareness ahead of the main summit.

The arrangement for hosting these pre-COP events comes following a complicated agreement last year, where hosting rights to the main climate summit were granted to Türkiye. Both Fiji and Palau had originally expressed interest in leading these discussions, emphasizing their commitment to global climate dialogue. The Australian government, alongside Pacific Island nations, is collaborating to use this unique platform to draw attention to the climate crisis threatening these islands, which are on the frontlines of climate change and rising sea levels.

As the Pacific Islands prepare for this significant opportunity to showcase their plight, it is expected that key announcements regarding the locations of these pre-COP events will be made soon. The successful organization of these meetings is considered a crucial step in galvanizing support and actions from larger nations that contribute heavily to global emissions, amidst an ongoing existential battle for the region against climate change’s devastating impacts.