By Pita Ligaiula in Honiara, Solomon Islands
Leaders from the Pacific Islands Forum have officially endorsed Australia’s bid to host the 31st UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31) in 2026.
In a statement released at the 2025 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, the leaders emphasised the urgent need to respond to the climate crisis.
“We recall the Boe Declaration on Regional Security and Kainaki II Declaration for Urgent Climate Change Action Now,” the statement reads, highlighting existing commitments.
The leaders reaffirmed that climate change remains “the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific.”
They stressed the importance of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The statement highlighted the need for accelerated global action, saying, “We reaffirm the support of the Pacific Islands Forum for Australia’s bid for COP31 as a Pacific COP and our strong commitment to host this historic international engagement in 2026 to accelerate global action to set us on track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and its subsequent decisions.”
Highlighting the focus on vulnerable countries, the leaders committed “to championing the needs of all countries impacted by climate change,” with emphasis on “scaling-up support in line with the Paris Agreement and its first global stocktake, reiterating the vital importance of keeping 1.5C within reach.”
The statement concluded by celebrating “Pacific leadership in driving regional solutions to global challenges,” referring to the establishment of the Pacific Resilience Facility(PRF) as a key step toward securing a resilient future for the region.
Turkey is defying mounting pressure to make way for rival contender Australia, which is seeking to co-host the event with Pacific Island nations.
