The preparation for Pacific-led pre-COP31 will require a collective national and regional effort to ensure it is successful, says Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Suva Ms Tabuya called on government agencies, development partners, civil society, the private sector, academia, youth, women, and community representatives to work together to ensure the success of the event hosted in October this year.
Ms Tabuya said the Pacific region had a unique opportunity to showcase the priorities and aspirations of Pacific people ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).
“As host country, Fiji has been working closely with Australia, Tuvalu, and all Pacific Island Countries to deliver a pre-COP that is focused, inclusive and outcomes driven. This is an opportunity for the Pacific to help shape the global climate agenda before COP31,” she said.
Ms Tabuya said the success of pre-COP31 was contingent on coordination on the ground between national stakeholders, robust regional engagement, and strategic and consultative international diplomacy.
She said government agencies would play a central role in shaping Fiji’s national positions, adding that through close engagement with development partners Fiji’s had secured additional technical expertise, resources, and logistical support.
The participation of Civil society organisations, she added, would help ensure community voices were reflected in the design and approach to the event and would be invited to inform the national positions and priorities raised within the discussions and negotiations.
The minister emphasised the importance of the private sector in driving innovation and investment for climate resilience and the opportunity for the private sector to play an increasingly central role in supporting Fiji’s adaptation and mitigation priorities.
Ms Tabuya said youth, women, persons with disabilities and community representatives must be actively involved in the preparations and discussions.
“Pre-COP31 must not only speak about inclusion. It must practise inclusion. The Pacific’s climate story is strongest when it is told by the people living it every day,” she said.
The minister outlined the Pacific’s four strategic priorities for pre-COP31 and COP31: keeping the 1.5°C goal within reach, improving access to climate finance, elevating the ocean-climate nexus, and amplifying Pacific leadership and voices in global climate negotiations.
She encouraged stakeholders to work closely with the ministry to facilitate community engagement and support pre-COP communications, logistics and side events.
“The success of pre-COP31 will depend not only on what happens in October, but on how well we prepare together from now,” she said.
Regional leaders, ministers, negotiators, development partners, and stakeholders will meet in Fiji from October 5-8 for the Pacific led-pre COP31, aimed at strengthening regional priorities and building momentum ahead of COP31.
