Pacific youth will have a direct role in Fiji’s preparations for COP31, with Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya calling on young climate leaders to strengthen their voice and help shape the region’s priorities.
Speaking at the closing of the Regional Conference of Youth on Climate Change (RCOY) Oceania 2026 in Suva, Tabuya said Fiji’s official COP31 delegation would include young Pacific people nominated through the Pacific Youth Council and the National Youth Council of Fiji.
“Not observer passes at the margin, but as party overflow delegates, with responsibilities in its work and in its preparation. From your side, this means commitment. You need to attend each and every taskforce meeting to understand our national positions, the justifications behind them and know how to hold the line,” she stated.
The three-day conference brought together young climate leaders from across the Pacific to develop youth priorities for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau, Pre-COP31 engagements and COP31.
The discussions produced the Pacific Youth Position Statement, which was handed over to Tabuya at the closing of the conference.
Tabuya said the youth statement would also be taken to the youth meeting in Nadi from 01 -03 October.
“I ask you for one thing: precision. Write in the language of delivery. For every priority, name the change required, name who must act, etc. Fiji’s lead negotiators across all track should be able to use the text provided and defend it.”
She reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to keeping the 1.5-degree goal within reach, improving access to climate finance and ensuring the ocean remains central to global climate action.
With Pacific leaders preparing to meet in Palau and Fiji preparing to host the Pacific Pre-COP31 in October, Tabuya urged young Pacific leaders to take their priorities into regional and global climate discussions.
Preparations are also intensifying for Fiji’s hosting of Pre-COP31, with organising teams meeting to finalise the programme and logistical arrangements for government delegates, observers and other stakeholders.
Fiji, Australia and Tuvalu are working together to deliver a Pacific-led Pre-COP that places the priorities and experiences of Pacific Island countries at the centre of global climate discussions.
Members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Fiji were also briefed on preparations for Pre-COP31, which Fiji will host in partnership with Tuvalu and Australia.
The briefing was attended by Heads of Mission, representatives of resident diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies and development partners.
Diplomatic missions were briefed on the structure of the meeting, including preparatory sessions in Nadi and the Leaders’ component in Tuvalu.
They were also updated on arrangements for delegations, including registration and accreditation, visa facilitation, protocol and liaison support, accommodation, transport and security.
Fiji’s Environment Ministry said Pre-COP31 would provide an opportunity to bridge gaps across the negotiation agenda ahead of COP31 while allowing Pacific Island countries to share their priorities and experiences.
“We thank all the diplomatic corps for their continued support and look forward to welcoming delegations to Pre-COP31 in October,” the Ministry said.
Fiji will host the main Pre-COP31 meeting in Nadi from 05 to 08 October, while the Leaders’ component will be held in Tuvalu on 05 and 06 October.
Coordination between Fiji, Tuvalu and Australia is continuing, with further meetings scheduled in the coming weeks.
Pre-COP31 will build momentum ahead of COP31, which will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 09 – 20 November 2026.
