THE Pacific brought its stories, culture and calls for climate action to the heart of COP31 as the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion officially opened in Antalya, drawing a packed audience for an evening of cultural performances and renewed calls for the region’s priorities to be heard in global climate negotiations.
The opening was marked by traditional performances from Matavai cultural dancers, whose songs and storytelling through dance offered a glimpse into the Pacific’s rich cultural heritage and the deep connections between its people, land and ocean.
For the Secretariate Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Director General, Sefanaia Nawadra, the pavilion represents more than a gathering place. It is an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, bring Pacific voices together and advance the region’s priorities at COP31.
He acknowledged New Zealand for supporting the pavilion from its beginnings, and Australia for helping make this year’s space possible.
“The pavilion’s journey began at COP24 in Katowice, Poland, where it was known as the Pacific and Koronivia Pavilion, following the Pacific’s role in advancing the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture at COP23.”
Nawadra said, “the Pacific is now seeking a similar breakthrough for the ocean, calling for it to be formally recognised as an agenda item in the UN climate negotiations.”
With Pacific ministers, the region’s Ocean Envoy and partners present, he said there was a collective determination to ensure the ocean received the attention it deserved.
He also highlighted the growing role of Pacific communities living outside the region, recognizing the diaspora as an important part of the Pacific family.
Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, reaffirms Australia’s support, stating that the Pacific has been instrumental in securing the inclusion of the 1.5°C temperature limit in the Paris Agreement.
He said that commitment must remain central to COP31.
“The sooner we get to 1.5, the sooner we return to 1.5, the better off we all will be,” he said.
Bowen also stress the need to elevate the ocean in climate discussions, describing it as the world’s largest climate regulator and calling for it to have a more prominent place in negotiations and events.
He pointed to the significant gap in climate finance reaching vulnerable island nations, noting that only 0.2 per cent of global climate finance goes to small island developing states for adaptation.
“That has to change. It’s not enough,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenges of reaching consensus among more than 100 countries, Bowen said, “I cannot guarantee the outcome of the negotiations but I can confirm Australia’s commitment to keeping Pacific priorities at the center of discussions.”
“ Australia would continue working alongside Fiji and Pacific ministers throughout the negotiations, ensuring the region’s concerns remained visible and heard.”
For the Pacific, the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion provides a space to share those concerns, celebrate its identity and build the partnerships needed to advance climate action.
As the cultural performances brought the opening to life, the message was clear: the Pacific has a story to tell, and it wants that story heard at the center of COP31.
