By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau
Pacific Islands Forum leaders have renewed their call for urgent global climate action, backing a stronger regional push to keep 1.5°C within reach, secure more climate finance and prepare Pacific countries for worsening droughts, extreme weather and other disasters.
In their 2026 Leaders’ Communiqué, Forum leaders reaffirmed that climate change remains “the single greatest threat to the security, livelihoods and wellbeing of Pacific peoples”.
They said global action must be consistent with the best available science and endorsed continued work under the COP31 Pacific Partnership and by the Pacific COP31 Envoys.
The regional campaign will focus on four priorities: keeping 1.5°C within reach, improving access to climate finance, elevating the ocean-climate nexus and strengthening Pacific voices and leadership.
Leaders also said a high-level declaration from the Pacific Pre-COP31 Leaders Meeting would be important in building political momentum ahead of COP31.
The leaders highlighted the opportunity presented by Pacific Pre-COP31 meetings involving Fiji, Tuvalu and Australia to press the international community to recognise the special circumstances of Small Island Developing States(SIDS) and Least Developed Countries.
They said the meetings would provide a platform to reaffirm the Pacific’s collective demand for ambitious climate action.
Leaders also endorsed the Belau Declaration for Urgent and Inclusive Climate Action to Keep 1.5°C Within Reach, strengthening the region’s political position on climate change.
Through the declaration, Forum leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the 1.5°C Paris Agreement temperature goal and called for faster international action.
The declaration calls for urgent climate action, greater recognition of the ocean-climate connection, a faster transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy and improved access to climate finance.
Leaders also stressed the need to prioritise climate mitigation and said the Pacific’s ocean and forests were essential global carbon sinks.
They noted that Tuvalu will host the **Second International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels** in April 2027.
Forum leaders also endorsed the Pacific Pact on Gender and Climate Action, recognising the leadership of Pacific women in driving climate action.
The Pact is the region’s public political commitment to lead and accelerate implementation of the Belém Gender Action Plan in the Pacific.
Leaders said it would support gender-responsive climate action, financing and implementation across the region.
The endorsement places women’s leadership, participation and access to climate finance alongside the Pacific’s wider climate agenda.
The communique reaffirmed the Green Climate Fund(GCF) as a key climate partner for the Pacific.
Leaders called for an adequate and timely third replenishment of the GCF and improved access to climate finance for Small Island Developing States.
They also called for stronger engagement with regional financing mechanisms, including the Pacific Resilience Facility, to meet the region’s growing climate needs.
The PRF has been identified by Forum leaders as the Pacific’s pre-eminent climate finance investment priority and is being developed as a Pacific-led mechanism to deliver resilience finance closer to communities.
Forum leaders also agreed to strengthen regional coordination on renewable energy.
They called for increased investment across the Blue Pacific to accelerate the region’s transition away from fossil fuels.
To support regional leadership and implementation, leaders approved the Terms of Reference for a Renewable Energy Commissioner.
The role will be based at the Pacific Community (SPC), with dual reporting arrangements to SPC and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
The arrangement reflects the regional mandate of the new position and is intended to strengthen coordination and implementation of renewable energy priorities.
Leaders commended Vanuatu for its role in securing the adoption of a historic United Nations General Assembly resolution welcoming the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change.
The resolution also encourages states to operationalise the advisory opinion.
Forum leaders said they would continue collective advocacy to protect the rights, interests, sovereignty and future of Pacific peoples as climate change and sea-level rise intensify.
The communiqué also highlighted growing concerns over the increased likelihood of a strong El Niño event.
Leaders said Pacific countries must strengthen preparedness and resilience, particularly in relation to water security, drought and other extreme weather impacts.
They recognised the value of Pacific-owned initiatives, including the Pacific Resilience Facility(PRF) and Weather Ready Pacific, in improving forecasting, early warning systems and anticipatory action.
Leaders also reaffirmed the importance of a comprehensive multi-hazard approach to resilience and disaster risk management.
The communiqué specifically highlighted geohazards, including earthquakes, volcanic activity and tsunamis, as major risks across the region.
Leaders called for these threats to be more fully integrated into regional early warning systems, preparedness frameworks and resilience financing arrangements.
Forum leaders also noted the deployment of the Pacific Climate Mobility Initiative to support member countries in implementing the Pacific Regional Framework for Climate Mobility.
The initiative will provide knowledge and data to support national policies and planning and help translate regional commitments into practical national action.
It will also support countries to strengthen their readiness to access international climate finance to address climate mobility.
The decisions taken in Palau set out a broad regional agenda linking climate diplomacy, finance, renewable energy and disaster preparedness as the Pacific heads towards major international climate meetings.
