Pacific visit to advance regional climate action and COP31 bid

The Albanese Government is continuing to lead on action to tackle climate change at home and across our region with Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen visiting four Pacific Island nations this week to deepen climate and energy partnerships.

The visit will reinforce the Government’s commitment to practical climate action and progress discussions on our bid to host COP31 in 2026.

This is Minister Bowen’s first overseas visit since the Government’s re-election, underlining the priority the Albanese Government places on working in genuine partnership with the Pacific family to deliver outcomes for our region.

Minister Bowen will hold high-level talks with leaders and counterparts in Tuvalu, Palau, Samoa, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), focusing on how the joint COP31 bid can amplify the voices of Pacific nations and deliver real progress for Australia and the Pacific.

The visit will also advance the Australia-Pacific Partnership for Energy Transition (APPET), a $50 million program supporting Pacific nations to accelerate their clean energy transition, improve energy security, and meet their Paris Agreement commitments.

Minister Bowen will meet with industry and community leaders, and visit key energy infrastructure, including the 15MW Palau Solar Farm — one of the Pacific’s largest renewable energy projects, backed by Australia. 

This important visit reaffirms that under the Albanese Government, Australia is not just stepping up – we’re standing alongside our region to shape global action and deliver real, lasting benefits for the people of Australia and the Pacific.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY, CHRIS BOWEN:

“It makes sense that the world’s biggest climate conference should be hosted by the region facing some of the world’s biggest climate impacts.

“Australia and the Pacific’s joint bid for COP31 is about ensuring that the region’s voice shapes global climate action for the benefit of the Australian and Pacific people.

“I look forward to deepening our cooperation with Pacific neighbours; not only to build a fairer, cleaner energy future, but to bring COP31 home for our region in 2026.”