Pacific climate priorities and access to climate finance were among the key issues discussed during a Pre-COP31 media meet at the Fiji National University Nabua Campus.

Pre-COP31 will bring Pacific and international leaders together in Nadi ahead of COP31, creating an opportunity for Pacific voices to contribute to discussions on global climate action.

Project Manager for the Pacific Action for Climate Transitions at FNU, Martin Timperley highlighted that that the Pacific faces significant climate impacts despite contributing the least to global climate change.

“The Pacific did the least contribute to climate change, but it’s living with the worst of its impacts, and they can’t respond alone” Timperley highlighted.

Timperley also emphasized the need to connect Pacific communities and local expertise with international funding.

He points to the region’s oceans, reefs, mangroves and forests as natural resources that provide important benefits to communities and the wider world.

“Pacific communities have been custodians of their oceans, their reefs, their mangroves, their forests for generations. They’ve been doing that work that have benefited their communities, but have also benefited the international community as well” he added

The discussions come as Fiji prepares to host Pacific Pre-COP31 in Nadi from October 5 to 8, with climate finance and Pacific-led climate action forming part of the wider regional conversation ahead of COP31.

BY: JOELI RAGONELIWA