‘We will not be sacrificed’: Pacific climate voices were clear and strong this week – and we’re listening

Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images Preparatory meetings for the United Nations’ annual climate summit are usually quiet affairs, focused on laying the political and technical groundwork for the main COP event.

But this year felt very different.

I was at this week’s pre-COP31 gathering in Fiji for talks that were both harmonious and powerful.

Pacific delegates were clearly frustrated at having to repeatedly retell their stories of climate change.

But they were also generous in their wish for the world to engage with the reality they face.

Following a tussle for leadership last year , it was agreed Australia would jointly host these Pacific climate meetings with Fiji.

Rival bidder Turkey (also called Türkiye) will host the annual UN COP31 climate summit in the city of Antalya in November.

There has been criticism of the number of world leaders at the A$20 million Fiji meeting – with 14 national leaders making a side visit to Tuvalu on Tuesday, and just two of those hailing from outside the Pacific.

However, the purpose of meeting was not a leadership summit – although more national leaders attended than in previous years.

Rather, it was a chance for governments, community leaders and Australia’s Minister for Climate and Energy Chris Bowen – who has the role of president of negotiations at COP31 – to hear directly from Pacific leaders, ministers and climate envoys on their priorities.

And they had so much to say .

The Pacific should not be sacrificed The most obvious shift in Fiji was the difference in tone.

Pacific voices, music, art, film, tradition and storytelling took centre stage.

It reminded everyone that if these parts of the world are lost to climate change, so, too, is their inextricably intertwined culture.