18 September 2025, Brisbane, Australia - Senior government officials gathered earlier this week to reaffirm support for Australia’s bid to host the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31) in 2026. Dubbed the Pacific COP, the international event represents an opportunity to bring the world closer to the Pacific, a region on the frontline of the adverse impacts of climate change.
Through the Pacific Islands Forum process, the Cook Islands has joined regional partners in advancing the bid and ensuring that Pacific priorities guide preparations. A Pacific COP would not only highlight the urgent challenges facing our communities but also showcase the leadership and resilience of Pacific nations in driving global climate action.
“The Pacific has always been clear that climate change is an issue of survival for our people. A Pacific COP is about carrying that urgency forward and demonstrating the strength of our region’s leadership,” said Ms Peka Fisher of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), who attends the meeting on behalf of MFAI.
This support builds on recent engagement in key international and regional initiatives, including the Cook Islands’ historic presentation before the International Court of Justice as part of proceedings on states’ legal obligations on climate change, and its signature to the Pacific Resilience Facility, which will deliver community-based financing for climate adaptation. Together, these milestones demonstrate the Cook Islands’ commitment to ensuring Pacific voices remain central in shaping solutions to the climate crisis.
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