Suva, Fiji – 10 July 2026 – Fiji has called on government agencies, development partners, civil society, the private sector, academia, youth, women and community representatives to work together to ensure the success of the Pacific-led Pre-COP31, which Fiji will host in October this year.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting held at Bali Tower in Suva today, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Hon. Lynda Tabuya said the preparation for Pre-COP31 will require a collective national and regional effort to ensure the Pre-COP is successful. The Minister stated that the Pacific region has a unique opportunity to showcase the priorities and aspirations of Pacific people ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).
“As host country, Fiji has been working closely with Australia, Tuvalu, and all Pacific Island Countries to deliver a Pre-COP that is focused, inclusive and outcomes-driven. This is an opportunity for the Pacific to help shape the global climate agenda before COP31,” Hon. Tabuya said.
The Minister emphasised that the success of Pre-COP31 is contingent on coordination on the ground between national stakeholders, robust regional engagement, and strategic and consultative international diplomacy.
She said government agencies will play a central role in shaping Fiji’s national positions and that through close engagement with development partners Fiji’s has secured additional technical expertise, resources and logistical support. Civil society organisations, she added, are expected to help ensure community voices are reflected in the design and approach to the event and will be invited to inform the national positions and priorities raised within the discussions and negotiations. The Minister emphasized the importance of the private sector in driving
innovation and investment for climate resilience and the opportunity for the private sector to play an increasingly central role in supporting Fiji’s adaptation and mitigation priorities.
Hon. Tabuya also stressed that youth, women, persons with disabilities and community representatives must be actively involved in the preparations and discussions.
“Pre-COP31 must not only speak about inclusion. It must practise inclusion. The Pacific’s climate story is strongest when it is told by the people living it every day,” she said.
The Minister outlined the Pacific’s four strategic priorities for Pre-COP31 and COP31: keeping the 1.5°𝐶 goal within reach, improving access to climate finance, elevating the ocean-climate nexus, and amplifying Pacific leadership and voices in global climate negotiations.
She acknowledged the appointments of the special envoys
Hon. Tabuya encouraged stakeholders to work closely with the Ministry to facilitate community engagement and support the Pre-COP communications, logistics and side events.
“The success of Pre-COP31 will depend not only on what happens in October, but on how well we prepare together from now,” she said.
Fiji will host the Pacific-led Pre-COP31 in October 5-8, 2026, bringing together Pacific leaders, ministers, negotiators, development partners and stakeholders to strengthen regional priorities and build momentum ahead of COP31.