Wayne Ghemu urges stronger Pacific unity ahead of COP31 to tackle climate change and strengthen regional action
Sydney, 21 July 2026: The Solomon Islands Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Hon. Wayne Ghemu, has called for stronger Pacific regionalism as countries prepare for COP31 and other key climate meetings later this year.
Speaking at the Climate Change Ministerial Meeting on COP31 in Sydney today, Minister Ghemu, who is also representing the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair Hon. Matthew Wale, said the existential threat of climate change remains the Pacific’s greatest challenge amid growing global pressures.
“As the international system becomes increasingly fragmented and the effectiveness of multilateral institutions is tested, the Pacific must continue to demonstrate that regionalism remains one of our greatest strengths,” Minister Ghemu said.
“While global consensus may at times falter, our collective resolve must not. When we speak with one voice, we amplify our influence, strengthen our negotiating position and present solutions that are greater than the sum of our individual efforts.”
Minister Ghemu thanked Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Hon. Chris Bowen, and the Government and people of Australia for hosting and co-chairing the meeting, and acknowledged the work of the COP31 Senior Officials Taskforce and Secretariat under the Pacific Partnership.
He stressed that the regional agenda must remain grounded in national priorities, with regional initiatives designed to elevate shared priorities, unlock larger-scale investments, and create opportunities no single country could achieve alone.
With less than 100 days until Pre-COP, the PIF Leaders Meeting in Palau, UNGA, and COP31, Minister Ghemu urged Ministers to make the most of every opportunity to advance priorities endorsed under the Pacific Partnership.
He also highlighted the need to include vulnerable communities, civil society, and young people in climate action.
“Addressing the climate crisis should not be confined to a selected few. Where we can garner support and forge genuine partnerships, let us do so with intent and a determination to influence change,” he said.
The Ministerial Talanoa was co-chaired by Minister Ghemu and Minister Bowen. It was attended by Leaders and Ministers from across the Pacific Islands Forum, including the President of Kiribati, His Excellency Taneti Maamau and the Prime Minister of Niue, Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, as well as senior officials from SPREP, PIFS, and the UN.
At the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Ghemu also engaged in one-on-one meetings with his Australian counterpart Minister Chris Bowen, the SPREP Director General, NSW Environmental Protection, the CEO of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and a visit to the Australian Humanitarian Warehouse.
Permanent Secretary of the MECDM, David Hiba Hiriasia and the Deputy Director of the Climate Change Division, Henry Tufah, accompanied Minister Ghemu to the Climate Change Ministerial Meeting.
SOURCE//: GCU PRESS RELEASE
