In a bid to ensure Pacific youth have a seat at the climate table, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Hon. Lynda Tabuya met with COP31 Presidency Youth Climate Champion Ms Sally Higgins in Suva today to discuss how meaningful youth participation can be strengthened in the lead-up to the Pacific-led Pre-COP and COP31.
Ms Higgins was appointed by the Australia-TΓΌrkiye COP31 Presidency to champion the voices of children and young people and ensure they are meaningfully included in climate discussions and decision-making leading to COP31.
During the meeting, Hon. Tabuya said that, as host of the Pacific-led Pre-COP, Fiji is committed to ensuring Pacific adolescents and youth have a meaningful voice in shaping regional and global climate discussions.
She reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to placing young people at the centre of climate action.
βThe future of climate action must be shaped with children and young people, not just for them. Their voices, ideas and lived experiences are essential to building a more resilient and sustainable Pacific,β she stated.
Ms Higgins said young people should be recognised as partners in shaping climate solutions rather than being simply consulted.
βYoung people don’t just want a seat at the table; they need to help shape the agenda.β
The meeting also highlighted the upcoming Pre-COP Australia and Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue, to be held in Nadi from 1β3 October 2026, where young leaders from across the Pacific and beyond will share ideas, showcase Pacific-led solutions and develop recommendations to help inform discussions at Pre-COP and COP31.
Ms Higgins’s visit to Fiji reflects the shared commitment of Fiji and the COP31 Presidency to strengthening youth engagement across the Pacific and supporting preparations for the Pacific-led Pre-COP.
Fiji remains committed to creating opportunities for young people to lead, contribute and help shape climate solutions that will benefit future generations.
Interested young people are encouraged to apply to participate in the Pre-COP Australia and Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue using the following link: https://unicef.link/44tCjqx