THE Pacific has an opportunity to anchor global climate diplomacy in the region’s realities as it prepares to meet leaders for the weeklong pre-COP Summit in Nadi next week.
Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya said by hosting these negotiations, the region ensured that the COP31 was defined by Pacific-lived experiences and local expertise.
“The Pacific is the legitimate and unifying voice of protecting climate,” she said.
“We know climate is the greatest existential threat to the Pacific, but our oceans are central to this climate solution, and climate action cannot succeed without that being front and centre.
“And our pre-COP events will combine the high-level dialogue with direct exposure to the Pacific, where our climate impacts are most immediate and where resilience and innovation are most visible.”
She said in Tuvalu, where the pre-COP summit will also be held, was experiencing his very threat.
“Sea levels have risen 21 centimetres in 30 years. It’s almost a centimetre a year, nearly twice the global average.
“So, our very own Pacific-led science, our own stewardship, and our own indigenous knowledge show that climate and nature solutions can work together to protect our oceans and our planet.
“We have an opportunity here in pre-COP to anchor global climate diplomacy in our Pacific reality.
“And by hosting these negotiations, we ensure that COP31 is defined by Pacific-lived experiences and local expertise.”
Closed and opening meetings during the Summit will be held at the Sheraton Resort and Spa and Crowne Plaza Resort and Spa in Nadi.
