By Inoke Rabonu, Fiji Sun
On International Youth Day, Pacific youths gathering in Samoa for the Loss and Damage Dialogue stand united, driven by hope and urgency, in backing Australia’s bid to host COP31, which has been tagged as a 'Pacific COP.'
An event they see as a vital opportunity to amplify the region’s urgent climate struggles and demands for justice.
Environment ministers from Pacific countries met last week where they were provided a detailed update on Australia’s progress to secure the COP31 Presidency in light of the current opposing bid by the Government of Turkey.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme’s (SPREP) Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage held in Samoa, Solomon Islands’ Rodrick Holness, a steering committee member for the Pacific Island Climate Action Network in the COP31 bid, conveyed a powerful message: the Pacific must keep raising its voice, louder and stronger than ever.
“I believe it’s crucial for the Pacific to continue raising the voices and concerns of our people,” Holness said.
“It’s not just about the COP itself, but about bringing forward not only the stories of climate impacts, but also our cultural stories, traditions, and the momentum built by our elders and leaders. Today’s Pacific youth follow in their footsteps, seeking solutions and advocating for the issues affecting our region.”
Holness did not shy away from the painful truth—that the Pacific’s climate challenges stem largely from actions by developed nations, not its own people. This reality fuels the fierce determination among Pacific youth to claim their rightful space on the global stage.
“So any platform where Pacific people and youth can raise their voices must be embraced,” he stressed.
“If we don’t participate in these spaces, we risk missing out on having our voices heard on critical climate agendas.”
Echoing this unity, Miss Pacific Islands, Litara Ieremia-Allen, of Samoa spoke of the unstoppable collective power of the Pacific peoples.
“There’s collective power in the Pacific,” Ieremia-Allen said, her tone hopeful yet resolute.
“The youth voices must be central to our preparations for COP30 and COP31.”
She added that forging strong bonds among Pacific Islanders in the climate space is more than important, it’s essential for the future.
“These are the people that are going to be leading these conversations in the next 5, 10, 15, 20 years. So lots of thoughts, but mainly very much grateful for this space.”
Fiji’s Gabriel Mara echoed the call for a united and well-networked Pacific voice, underscoring the region’s unique vulnerability.
“It’s very critical. Apart from the fact that climate change is impacting us, of all the SIDS regions… the Pacific SIDS is the one that is affected the most,” Mara said, his words heavy with the weight of lived experience.
“A Pacific COP is somewhere that I believe we can also lead. Even co-facilitate certain agenda items during negotiations, where the Pacific negotiators can step up and assume these roles of leadership within the climate regime.”
Yet Mara also acknowledged the real struggles - resourcing gaps, capacity limits, and the challenge of maintaining steady representation.
“You need a little time to perfect what you are doing,” he reflected.
As the Pacific prepares to co-host COP with Australia, these young leaders’ voices carry a sense of fierce hope and responsibility. They know this moment could shape the future for generations, if the region comes together and makes its voice impossible to ignore.
The Pacific Regional Loss and Damage Dialogue 2025 is held from 11-12 August at Taumeasina Island Resort. It follows the inaugural Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage, held from 7- 8 August, at the same venue in Samoa.
The Pacific Regional Loss and Damage Dialogue 2025 and the inaugural Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage are made possible with funding support from the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project with the Government of New Zealand.
Hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the dialogues bring together Pacific governments, youths, civil society, academia, NGOs, and the private sector to collectively advance the region’s priorities on Loss and damage.
This story was produced by the Pacific Media Team covering the meetings. Their attendance is made possible with funding support from the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project with the Government of New Zealand.
For more information, please contact SPREP Climate Change Adaptation Adviser, Ms Filomena Nelson [email protected], SPREP Climate Change Loss and Damage Officer, Ms Jessica Rodham [email protected] or Media and Public Relations Officer, Mr Keni Lesa [email protected]