Government says the success of Fiji’s hosting of the Pre-COP31 Meeting should not be judged by the number of world leaders who attend, but by whether the meeting delivers meaningful progress on global climate negotiations.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade said attendance at the meeting is a sovereign decision for each country and that Fiji’s priority is to provide a platform for productive discussions ahead of the COP31 climate conference.
“With respect to attendance, it is entirely a matter for individual governments to determine the level of their representation,” the ministry said.
“Every country has its own national priorities and scheduling considerations, and we respect those sovereign decisions.”
The ministry said speculation over which Heads of Government or Heads of State may attend should not overshadow the purpose of the meeting.
“Our focus is therefore not on speculation regarding attendance, but on ensuring that Fiji provides an excellent platform for constructive and meaningful dialogue.”
It stressed that the true measure of success would be the meeting’s contribution to advancing international climate negotiations.
“The success of the Pre-COP31 Meeting should not be measured solely by the number of Heads of Government or Heads of State in attendance. Rather, it should be measured by whether it helps build consensus, narrows differences in negotiating positions, and advances substantive progress towards successful outcomes at COP31.”
Preparations for the meeting are progressing well, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade working alongside the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the COP31 Presidency and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat to finalise the programme, agenda and logistical arrangements.
The ministry confirmed that invitations, together with the administrative note, will be distributed through UNFCCC National Focal Points by the end of this week.
Officials said the meeting will provide countries with an opportunity to tackle key global climate issues, including climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, while advancing priorities important to Pacific Small Island Developing States.
The ministry said both ministries are working closely with international partners, the UNFCCC Secretariat, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to ensure the meeting is inclusive, well-organised and delivers meaningful outcomes.
It added that Fiji remains committed to contributing to global climate action.
“Fiji has a long and respected record of climate leadership on the international stage. We look forward to welcoming participants from around the world and to contributing meaningfully towards a successful COP31 process,” the ministry said.
