Fiji supports Australia’s bid for Pacific COP

Statement by the Prime Minister, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka on the ongoing negotiation on hosting COP31

20 November 2025 – Fiji welcomes efforts by our Pacific partners, particularly Australia, to bring a focus on the devastating impact of climate change on our region through a Pacific COP. These efforts have been unrelenting over a number of years. This is why we strongly supported Australia’s bid.

The news from Belem means it is unlikely we will secure a Pacific COP. Rather than lose any ability to focus on our region and risk the global climate negotiations falling by the wayside, we recognise that compromise might now be necessary.

Prime Minister Albanese and PIF Chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele have both spoken publicly on options to protect the interests of the Pacific should Türkiye’s bid succeed.
Fiji supports a resolution that includes a special focus on the needs of the Blue Pacific including:

· a Leaders level pre-COP meeting in the Pacific;
· a pledging event for the Pacific Resilience Facility to bring much needed finance to community adaptation and mitigation projects; and
· for Australia and the region to play a leadership role in negotiations.