World leaders urged not to overlook Pacific plight

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Climate finance and a move away from fossil fuels have dominated discussions at the opening day of the COP31 leaders’ summit.

World leaders have been urged to extend a lifeline to Pacific nations under threat from rising sea levels and extreme weather at the COP31 summit in Turkey.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued the call to action on Wednesday at the opening of the two-day World Leaders Climate Action Summit segment of the United Nations event.

Australia will lead negotiations at the annual climate talks and Mr Albanese said it would use the opportunity to highlight the plight of its regional neighbours.

“We sought this role because we wanted to speak for the people of the world who need urgent action, including those from our Pacific family,” he said.

“Their brave, resourceful people need us to act and they’re pleading for us to do so, politely but with absolute clarity.”

Mr Albanese cited the plea of aspiring doctor, 13-year-old Melelusi Sokotia from Tuvalu, who told leaders at the Pre-COP event that she and her peers wanted to remain safe in their island nation.

He also called for nations to support the Pacific Resilience Facility, launched in 2025, designed to raise $US500 million ($A726 million) for climate change and adaption projects.

“I plead with you to join our campaign to help the nations of the Pacific to confront a climate challenge that they certainly did not create,” he said.

The high-level leaders’ summit will feature addresses from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and recently re-elected Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

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