Pacific Youth Hand COP31 Declaration to Negotiators in Fiji

Pacific youth delegates finalize their declaration at the UNICEF Pre-COP31 youth climate dialogue in Nadi, Fiji ahead of COP31

October 5, 2026
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NADI, Fiji — More than 60 young climate leaders from Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island nations concluded a three-day youth climate dialogue in Nadi, Fiji, on 3 October 2026 — and are now carrying a youth declaration into the Pacific Pre-COP31 summit opening in the same city today.

Three days of youth dialogue in Nadi

The Pre-COP31 Australia & Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue (APYCD) ran from 1 to 3 October 2026. It was organized by UNICEF together with the governments of Fiji and Australia, with the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC), the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), the Pacific Youth Council (PYC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) as partners.

More than 60 youth leaders aged 14 to 29 took part, fully funded with travel, accommodation and meals covered. According to UNICEF Australia, under-25s make up one-third of Australia’s population, while under-35s make up half of the Pacific’s population — a reminder of how large the generation is that has the most at stake.

A youth declaration heads to the negotiators

According to FijiGlobalNews, the youth delegates will present a declaration following their own meeting at Fiji’s Pre-COP31 gathering, which runs from 5 to 8 October in Nadi with around 36 ministers and heads of delegation expected. The Pre-COP31 stakeholder programme also confirms the 5–8 October dates in Nadi. The declaration’s contents have not yet been publicly reported.

Youth delegate hands the Pacific youth COP31 declaration to negotiators in Fiji — A youth delegate presents the declaration to climate negotiators at Fiji’s Pre-COP31 meeting in Nadi (5–8 October 2026).

What Pacific youth are demanding

Ahead of the meeting, Pacific civil society — including youth voices — has put forward clear demands. Pacific Youth Council Coordinator Miliana Iga said: “We are not seeking charity; we are calling for climate justice, genuine partnership and action that matches the scale of the challenge. Pacific young people have the right, and the responsibility, to help shape the decisions that will define our future.” The statement was reported by both PINA and FijiGlobalNews.

The demands, gathered under the Pacific civil-society “Funafuti Call”, include predictable, grant-based climate finance, reparations for loss and damage, and a phase-out of fossil fuels, according to the same reporting.

Separately, Pacific climate advocates unveiled five “Red Lines for 1.5°C” in a visual action in Nadi ahead of Pre-COP31, while negotiators are finalizing the Falefatu-Pākasa Declaration, according to The Climate Watch.

Young volunteers plant mangroves on a Pacific shoreline — Pacific youth climate action ahead of COP31 — Young volunteers plant mangroves on a Pacific shoreline — one of the community climate actions young people across the region are bringing to the COP31 table.

FAKTA

What: Pre-COP31 Australia & Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue (APYCD)
When and where: 1–3 October 2026, Nadi, Fiji
Who: 60+ youth leaders aged 14–29 from Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island nations
Organizers: UNICEF, with the governments of Fiji and Australia and Pacific regional bodies
Next: Fiji’s Pre-COP31 meeting, 5–8 October 2026, Nadi; COP31 follows 9–20 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye

Pacific island nations have long punched above their weight in climate diplomacy, and their youth are making sure the generation that will live with the consequences has a seat at the table. Follow Watan News International’s climate coverage for the outcomes of the Pre-COP31 summit and the road to COP31 in Antalya.