PRE-COP31 | Fiji Advances Climate Diplomacy at Historic Pre-COP in Nadi

Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Honourable Sakiasi Ditoka, reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to ensuring that climate negotiations in Türkiye will be grounded in the lived experiences, knowledge and solutions of Pacific communities during his visit to the Bula Village Exhibition at Pre-COP31.

Joined by the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Ambassador Solo Mara, Hon. Ditoka engaged with Civil Society organisations, women, youth and other stakeholders advancing climate action across the region at the Bula Village.

Minister Ditoka, said during the visit: “This conference shows the value of diplomacy; it gives voice to those who feel the impacts of climate change; our communities on the frontline.

“The conference shows that Pacific communities are not just experiencing climate change, but taking global leadership in innovation and practical solutions too.”

As Fiji joins Tuvalu and Australia in steering this historic gathering toward COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, our objective is absolute: the grassroots solutions showcased here at Bula Village must directly inform global climate action.

The Minister also acknowledged the important contribution of stakeholders in strengthening climate resilience. He reaffirmed the Fiji Government’s commitment to working alongside communities and partners to turn climate commitments into practical outcomes for the people of Fiji and the wider Pacific.

During the visit to the Bula Village, the Minister engaged with the 28 exhibitors on initiatives ranging from climate mitigation and adaptation to community resilience, advocacy and locally led solutions.

The Bula Village enables Pacific women, young people, civil society organisations and community representatives to share their experiences in their own voices and showcase solutions already being implemented across the region.

The engagement at Pre-COP31 also ensures that the experiences and priorities of Pacific communities help inform the region’s collective voice as countries prepare for COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

During pre-COP, Fiji is uniting regional partners around four non-negotiable Pacific priorities ahead of COP31:

• Keeping 1.5°C Alive: Enforcing strict international targets to safeguard island nations.
• Streamlining Climate Finance: Unlocking direct, unbureaucratic funding for local adaptation.
• Advancing the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Embedding ocean governance at the heart of global agreements.
• Amplifying Pacific Leadership: Ensuring sovereign island voices direct global policy outcomes.