Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged world leaders to attend the pre-COP meetings in Fiji and Tuvalu, saying the Pacific offers firsthand evidence of the impacts of climate change and that the region’s voices must be heard ahead of the global climate summit.
Responding to questions at a press conference in Suva about reports that Australia was facing challenges in securing attendance by world leaders at the pre-COP meetings, Wong backed Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s call for greater international engagement with the Pacific.
“First thing I’d say is I saw the comments Prime Minister Rabuka made, and I agree with them. And I join with him in saying to the world, come to the Pacific.”
“Come to the Pacific and see for yourself the reality of climate change for Pacific Island nations. Come to the Pacific and understand what this means for the people of the Pacific, for their livelihoods, for their culture, for their economies – come to the Pacific.”
Wong said Australia has long worked with Pacific countries to ensure the region’s climate concerns are heard internationally.
“Australia has always sought, or I can say to you, as Australia’s first climate minister, I understood very early on, many years ago, how important it was to work with Pacific nations to elevate your experience and your voices.”
“And we did that,” Wong said.
She said the upcoming pre-COP meetings are intended to strengthen Pacific representation in the global climate negotiations.
“This is what this pre-COP is about. And we do want to elevate Pacific voices and Pacific priorities through the Forum.”
Wong said Australia would continue encouraging world leaders to attend the meetings.
“We will continue to encourage leaders to come,” said Wong.
