Australia said it will continue advocating with Pacific nations to secure co-hosting rights the COP31 climate summit, at the same time announced the appointment of Will Nankervis as its new Ambassador for Climate Change.
The announcement was made by Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Monday.
Nankervis will spearhead Australia’s international climate diplomacy with a focus on the Pacific and Southeast Asia, coordinating government efforts to bid for the COP31 climate conference to bring it to the Pacific region.
“Australia has listened to the Pacific’s call for urgent climate action, and we will continue to advocate with the Pacific family on the world stage,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong in a statement.
“The Albanese Government is taking strong action on climate change at home, and we’re engaging with international partners to drive collective action abroad – because no one country can solve these problems alone.
A senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade(DFAT), Nankervis currently serves as First Assistant Secretary of the Climate Diplomacy and Development Finance Division. His diplomatic experience includes serving as Australia’s Ambassador to ASEAN in Jakarta and previous postings to the UN in New York and Colombo.
The Ministry stated that it recognses that Pacific nations face some of the most severe climate impacts despite contributing the least to the crisis.
“Pacific leaders have declared that climate change is the number one threat to the security of their people – and they are right,” noted Pacific Island Affairs Minister Pat Conroy.
“A region at the frontline of the climate crisis and with a long and impressive record of climate leadership.”
It also stated that Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen emphasised the economic opportunities, noting that global clean energy investment has exceeded USD$2 trillion. “
Our bid to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific is about bringing the world’s focus to our region,” he said.
Nankervis replaces Kristin Tilley, who has served in the role since 2022.
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has said Australia should host a big climate meeting for Pacific countries.
Whipps visited Sydney in April and said that Australia hosting the meeting would help Pacific countries work together better.
It would also bring more money for clean energy projects to the region.
The meeting, called COP31, is a yearly gathering where world leaders talk about how to fight climate change.
Australia wants to host it for 2026 in partnership with Pacific nations.
