Senior Pacific officials stepped up preparations for COP31 last week, meeting to strengthen regional coordination and sharpen Pacific priorities ahead of key climate talks later this year
The COP31 Pacific Senior Taskforce Officials met on 29 May in a hybrid format to advance regional planning ahead of the Pacific Climate Ministers Meeting and the global climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye.
Senior officials from Pacific Islands Forum member countries took part in strategic discussions aimed at ensuring a united Pacific approach in the lead-up to COP31.
The meeting was co-chaired by Minister Counsellor at the Solomon Islands High Commission to Fiji, Esther O’Brien, and Australia’s Deputy President of Negotiations and Chief Negotiator for COP31, Dr Sally Box.
A key focus of the discussions was preparation for a series of high-level climate engagements, including pre-COP31 meetings to be hosted by Fiji and Tuvalu from 5-8 October 2026, ahead of the main conference in Türkiye.
COP31 marks a significant arrangement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process, bringing together a unique partnership between Türkiye and Australia while placing the Pacific at the centre of global climate discussions.
Under the arrangement, Türkiye will hold the COP31 Presidency, Australia will serve as President of Negotiations, and the Pacific will host the pre-COP31 meetings.
The partnership reflects growing international recognition of Pacific leadership on climate issues, particularly in the areas of climate resilience, adaptation and climate finance.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and the Australian Government make up the Secretariat for the COP31 Task Force, supporting Pacific Island countries as preparations intensify ahead of the conference.
