Pacific Climate Ministers met this week in Sydney Australia for the sixth Pacific Climate Ministers Talanoa, strengthening regional climate cooperation and advancing a united Pacific agenda ahead of Pre-COP31 in the Pacific and COP31 in Türkiye. Minister for Health Hon. Hu'akavameiliku represented Tonga to the meeting.

The Talanoa was co-chaired by Solomon Islands’ Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Hon. Wayne Ghemu, and Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Hon. Chris Bowen MP.

The Talanoa focused on "delivering ambitious outcomes through the Pacific-Australia partnership", with discussions focused on advancing shared regional priorities through the Pacific Senior Officials Taskforce, including coordination of Pacific positions, preparations for the Pre-COP in Fiji, and the Leaders’ side visit to Tuvalu.

“Through the Pacific Islands Forum and the COP31 Pacific Partnership, we have shown that when we speak with one voice, we amplify our influence, strengthen our negotiating position and present solutions that are greater than the sum of our individual efforts. In an increasingly uncertain world, our regional solidarity is not simply a matter of convenience; it is a strategic necessity,” said co-chair Hon. Ghemu.

“Pre-COP will position Pacific voices to shape global climate negotiations, bringing governments and investors to the region,” said co-chair Hon. Bowen.

“Today Climate Ministers took forward their important work on regional climate cooperation, which will help deliver real outcomes on the region's priorities.”

 “Our Pacific Islands communities feel the impacts of climate change in their daily lives, so it is imperative that we do everything within our collective power to address this issue. Together, we have a responsibility to ensure Pacific priorities are amplified in the global negotiations that will shape our future,” said Sefanaia Nawadra, Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme.

“While progressing this work, Senior Officials and the COP31 Secretariat are also very mindful of the current geopolitics and the impacts it will have in how we move forward. Amid current geopolitical uncertainties, alarms have been raised on the potential of an overshoot in the global average temperature, a strong push-back on the centrality of science, a shrinking climate financial landscape, and concerns over the inadequacy of multilateral processes and their ability to respond at the speed needed to address the climate crisis," said PIF Deputy Secretary General Desna Solofa.

"It is therefore very critical that we are agile and remain ahead of these issues particularly in how we implement the COP31 Pacific Partnership."

Ministers reviewed progress in Pacific climate diplomacy, including engagement with Türkiye, outcomes from the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies meetings in Bonn, and discussions held during London Climate Action Week last month. They also considered upcoming technical engagements that will inform the region’s collective approach to COP31.

The Talanoa also received updates from the COP31 Pacific Climate Envoys on their workplans, international engagements and priorities through to the end of 2026.

Fiji with the support of the Pacific Islands Forum, will host the pre-COP31 meeting from 5-8 October 2026.  This meeting will include a special Leaders component to be held in Tuvalu, building on a special climate event to be convened as part of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Palau in September.

The 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) will be held from 9-20 November. It will take place at the Antalya Expo Center in Antalya, Türkiye. The event is being co-hosted under a shared presidency arrangement, with Türkiye serving as the host country and Australia leading the negotiations track.