Fiji, Sept. 10 -- Leaders from the Pacific Islands Forum have officially endorsed Australia's bid to host the 31st UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31) in 2026.

In a statement released at the 2025 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, the leaders emphasised the urgent need to respond to the climate crisis.

"We recall the Boe Declaration on Regional Security and Kainaki II Declaration for Urgent Climate Change Action Now," the statement reads, highlighting existing commitments.

The leaders reaffirmed that climate change remains "the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific."

They stressed the importance of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the UN ...