Australia Advances Pacific Climate Partnership, COP31 Bid

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen is touring Tuvalu, Palau, Samoa, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands to strengthen regional climate cooperation and promote Australia and the Pacific's joint bid to host the COP31 climate summit in 2026. This visit, Bowen's first overseas trip since the Albanese Government's re-election, underscores Australia's commitment to partnering with Pacific nations on climate adaptation, clean energy transitions, and fulfilling Paris Agreement commitments. Central to the discussions is the $50 million Australia-Pacific Partnership for Energy Transition, aimed at boosting energy security and accelerating renewable energy projects like the 15MW Palau Solar Farm. Bowen emphasized that hosting COP31 in the Pacific region, which faces severe climate impacts, ensures that the voices of Pacific nations influence global climate action. The visit also seeks to amplify Pacific nations' moral leadership on the international stage and deepen cooperation to build a resilient, low-emissions future for the region. Australia aims to leverage this partnership to deliver tangible benefits for both Australian and Pacific communities while advancing global climate leadership.