Sport has long united nations, inspired communities, and created lifelong connections across cultures. Increasingly, it is also emerging as a powerful platform for advancing conversations on some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate change. This was the defining message of the inaugural UK/Fiji Climate Symposium 2026, held in Liverpool alongside the Nations Championship Tier One fixtures.
CONVENED by Fiji Society (UK) in partnership with the Fiji High Commission to the United Kingdom, Chevening Scholars, Liverpool City Council, and Nutkhut, the symposium demonstrated how diplomacy today extends well beyond governments. It showcased the influence of diaspora communities, academic institutions, sporting organisations, local authorities and civil society in shaping international cooperation.
As Fiji prepares to host the pre-COP meeting in October, the symposium provided an important opportunity to elevate Pacific perspectives on climate resilience while strengthening the enduring relationship between Fiji and the United Kingdom.
Opening the symposium, Jovilisi Suveinakama, Fiji’s High Commissioner to the UK, highlighted Fiji’s longstanding commitment to climate leadership and its determination to ensure that the voices of vulnerable island nations continue to shape global decision-making.
“For Fiji, climate action is not a future conversation; it is our daily reality. Every partnership we build strengthens our ability to protect our people while contributing solutions that benefit the wider international community.”
Throughout the discussions, one message resonated consistently that the Pacific is not simply experiencing the impacts of climate change, it is helping to define the solutions.
Moderating the symposium, Ajay Chhabra, Chair of Fiji Society (UK), noted that the diversity of participants was among the event’s greatest achievements.
“When government representatives, academics, sporting organisations, businesses and community leaders share the same conversation, new ideas emerge that simply would not happen in isolation. That is the value of people-to-people diplomacy.”
Representing the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mxolisi Sibanda emphasised that meaningful climate action requires greater recognition of local knowledge alongside scientific innovation.
The importance of international collaboration was further reinforced by Dr. Mark Charlton, UN Academic Impact SDG Chair Lead at De Montfort University, who spoke about the role universities can play in connecting research with practical action.
One of the symposium’s most compelling discussions centred on the intersection between sport and climate diplomacy. With Fiji recognised globally for its rugby excellence, participants explored how sport can become a platform for environmental advocacy, inspiring audiences that traditional policy forums may never reach.
Koli Sewabu, CEO of Fiji Rugby Union, reflected on the wider responsibility that accompanies Fiji’s sporting success.
Supporting this vision, Julian Vulakoro, Fiji’s Ambassador for Sport in France and Europe, highlighted the unique influence athletes possess beyond competition.
The symposium also highlighted tourism’s growing contribution to sustainability. Representing Tourism Fiji, Jane West noted that visitors increasingly seek destinations that demonstrate authentic environmental stewardship, creating opportunities for Fiji to strengthen its reputation as both a world-class tourism destination and a leader in sustainable development.
Climate security, inclusive leadership and the importance of diverse voices also featured prominently throughout the day’s conversations. Speaking as Program Lead and a Chevening Scholar (2025–26), Avaneesh Raman reflected on the importance of empowering future leaders across the Pacific.
Far more than a day event, the UK/Fiji Climate Symposium demonstrated how relationships built through trust, collaboration, and shared purpose can generate lasting impact.
It reinforced the important role played by Fiji’s diaspora in strengthening bilateral relations, promoting Pacific knowledge internationally, and creating opportunities that extend well beyond formal diplomatic channels.
As Fiji prepares to welcome international leaders for the pre-COP meeting later this year, the momentum generated in Liverpool illustrates how climate diplomacy can be enriched through partnerships that unite governments, universities, communities, tourism, and sport.
The symposium leaves behind a clear message: when people connect across borders with a shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and mutual respect, they create far more than dialogue, they build the foundations for meaningful global action.
The success of the inaugural UK/Fiji Climate Symposium stands as a powerful reminder that the Pacific’s greatest influence is not measured by its size, but by the strength of its ideas, its resilience, and its ability to inspire collective action on the world stage.
AVANEESH RAMAN is the content curator of blog The A Connection – https:://theaconnection.blogspot.com/. The views expressed in this article are his and is not necessarily shared by this newspaper. For more, log onto www.fijitimes.com.fj
Line-up of panelists at the inaugural UK/Fiji Climate Symposium. Picture: SUPPLIED
Group photo featuring symposium delegates. Picture: SUPPLIED
