Asia-Pacific leaders updated on pre-COP preparations

Fiji has provided an update to Asia-Pacific leaders regarding its preparations to host the Pacific Pre-COP meeting in Nadi this October. Minister for Climate Change Lynda Tabuya outlined the region's key priorities ahead of COP31 in Turkey, emphasizing the need for consensus among Pacific and global leaders.

The Pre-COP meeting aims to build agreement on critical regional issues, including maintaining the 1.5°C global temperature goal, enhancing access to climate finance, and integrating the climate-ocean nexus as a core component of international climate action. Tabuya also noted the appointment of Pacific Special Envoys to COP31, who will collaborate with Pacific leaders to ensure a unified voice during negotiations.

Tabuya stressed that collaboration, coordination, and collective action are fundamental to achieving Agenda 2030 and beyond. She pointed to Fiji's Climate Change Act 2021 as an example of a comprehensive approach that involves communities, traditional resource owners, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, and development partners in climate action.

Fiji reaffirmed its dedication to biodiversity protection through ecosystem restoration, improved environmental legislation and enforcement, expanded protected areas, and community-led conservation efforts. The nation is committed to ensuring that Pacific priorities remain central to global climate discussions.