Oceania’s First Voices leaders unite in Canberra to prepare for COP31

Posted on July, 14 2026

Eight leaders from Aboriginal Australian, Fijian, Solomon Islands and Aotearoa communities have gathered in Canberra this week for Oceania First Voices (OFV), a four-day workshop aimed at strengthening Indigenous and community leadership ahead of COP31 and the Pacific-hosted Pre-COP.

Canberra, 15 July 2026 – Eight leaders from Aboriginal Australian, Fijian, Solomon Islands and Aotearoa communities have gathered in Canberra this week for Oceania First Voices (OFV), a four-day workshop aimed at strengthening Indigenous and community leadership ahead of COP31 and the Pacific-hosted Pre-COP.

Held from 13–16 July 2026, the leaders are developing shared priorities to take to COP31 and ensure the voices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities are reflected in both the negotiations and the broader climate action agenda.

The gathering comes at a critical time for global climate action. As Australia prepares to serve as President of the COP31 negotiations, participants discussed how COP31 can deliver the ambitious outcomes needed to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C within reach, accelerate a just transition away from fossil fuels, strengthen support for climate adaptation and loss and damage, prioritise nature and elevate Indigenous leadership in climate solutions. These priorities reflect themes identified by stakeholders across the region for COP31.

Community leaders are meeting with Australian Government officials to present the priorities and lived experiences of their communities and are calling for an ambitious, fair and inclusive approach to COP31. Participants are emphasising the urgency of delivering strong outcomes that support communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis while upholding Indigenous rights, human rights and meaningful civil society participation.

Anahera Nin, Technician for Pou Take `Ahuarangi of the National Iwi Chair Forum said: “Coming out of NAIDOC week in Australia and standing on Ngunnawal Country with community leaders from across the Pacific re-affirms our strong connections to one another, our lands and our shared Ocean. Back home in Aotearoa, we’ve been celebrating Matariki and bringing in te tau hou Māori (Māori New Year) which is all about coming together, remembering what has happened and planning for the future. This gathering has allowed us to do exactly that, to strategise, advocate and platform our communities back home to show we are the solution”.

Cliff Cobbo, First Nations Principal Advisor for WWF-Australia, said he is honoured and proud to support Pacific climate leaders as they discuss shared solutions to climate change.

Alfred Ralifo, Pacific Conservation Director at WWF-Pacific, said: “The Oceania First Voices Forum is an important opportunity to collaborate and strategise with community climate leaders and advocates ahead of COP31, ensuring they are meaningfully supported and their voices are heard”.

As governments prepare for COP31, participants in Oceania’s First Voices are sending a clear message: ambitious climate action cannot be achieved without the meaningful involvement of the communities most affected by climate change.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Oceania’s First Voices (OFV) is an Indigenous advocacy and influencing program established in 2021 by WWF-Pacific, WWF-Australia and WWF-New Zealand.

Contact: Kesaia Vasutoga | kvasutoga@wwf.org.au | +61492094537

Participants part of the OFV forum.

Front row left to right: Kesaya Baba – WWF Australia; Alfred Ralifo – WWF Pacific; Talei Silibaravi – Macuata, Fiji; Nat Burke – WWF Australia; Anahera Nin - Pou Take `Ahuarangi of the National Iwi Chair Forum, Aotearoa; Kesaia Vasutoga – WWF Australia Back row left to right: Francis Quina – Beiporo Community, Solomon Is.; Lavenia Naivalu – Ba Province, Fiji; Takesa Frank – Yuin Country, NSW, Australia; Moale James-Proud – Facilitator; Jonathan Bukiri – Pusiju Community, Solomon Is.; Margaret Vakalalabure – WWF Pacific; Mosese Volavola – Nadroga Province, Fiji.