Australia's pre-COP climate gathering in Fiji drew only two leaders from outside the Pacific region, according to The Australian. The meeting, hosted by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, was intended to bring world leaders together ahead of the COP31 summit.
The Australian reports that Bowen invited global leaders to the event, but attendance from outside the Pacific was minimal. The Age also reported that only two leaders from beyond the Pacific attended the summit in Fiji.
The Canberra Times described the event as drawing modest attendance, noting that rising sea levels were a focus of the gathering.
Australia has committed to funding renewable energy projects in the Pacific ahead of COP31, according to SMH.com.au. That funding pledge came as part of Australia's broader preparations for the climate conference.
The low turnout from non-Pacific leaders raises questions about the breadth of international engagement ahead of COP31. Pacific nations have been among the most vocal advocates for climate action, given the direct threat rising sea levels pose to low-lying island states.
The pre-COP meeting in Fiji was positioned as a chance to build momentum before the main conference. With only two leaders from outside the region present, the event's reach beyond the Pacific appears limited.
What to watch next: whether the funding commitments announced ahead of COP31 translate into broader participation when the main summit convenes.
