Pacific leaders and delegations gathered in Nadi for a church service on Monday, beginning their Pre-COP31 journey in prayer and reflection ahead of climate negotiations in Fiji and Tuvalu.
“In the Pacific, this is where we begin — we pray, we listen to the Word of God,” said Revd Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia.
The service brought together Pacific leaders and delegations ahead of the Pacific Pre-COP31 meetings, reflecting the region’s enduring values of faith, community and collective responsibility.
The gathering comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese travels to Fiji and Tuvalu from 5 to 7 October for the Pre-COP Leaders’ event, which Australia is co-hosting with the two Pacific nations.
The Pacific Pre-COP will run from 5 to 8 October in Nadi, Fiji, alongside a Leaders’ event in Tuvalu from 5 to 6 October.
Albanese said the Pacific-hosted meetings would provide an opportunity for the region’s priorities to be heard ahead of the global climate negotiations.
“Australia is proud to stand with our Pacific family and co-host these events with Fiji and Tuvalu, putting our region’s priorities on the world stage.”
Albanese added, “This builds on the work we’ve been undertaking to boost stability, security and prosperity in the region – which is crucial to Australia’s national interest.”
“Pre-COP in the Pacific will allow the world to hear directly from those on the front line of climate change and see the solutions that these nations are leading.”
More than 50 countries and thousands of decision makers, experts and advocates are expected to participate, with discussions aimed at advancing climate action and laying the foundations for negotiations at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, in November.
The Leaders’ event in Tuvalu will highlight the impacts of climate change on the island nation and how Tuvaluans are responding to the challenges facing their communities.
As leaders and delegates prepare to gather in Nadi, the focus is also turning to communities that have experienced the effects of climate change firsthand.
In Vunidogoloa, a remote village in northern Fiji, generations of families once lived close to the coast before the community was relocated to higher ground.
Rising sea levels and changing environmental conditions made life increasingly difficult, prompting the relocation of the village as residents sought a safer place to live.
The story of Vunidogoloa has since become an example of climate adaptation and community resilience in the Pacific.
Once home to generations of families, the village’s relocation reflects the realities facing communities across low-lying Pacific nations as they respond to changing environmental conditions.
Australia secured the role of COP31 President of Negotiations at COP30, along with an agreement to deliver a Pacific-hosted Pre-COP, including a special Leaders’ event.
Albanese will be joined by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Kate Thwaites.
The visit will be Albanese’s fourth official visit to Fiji and his first official visit to Tuvalu.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will serve as Acting Prime Minister until Albanese returns to Australia.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
