by Georgina Maka’a  

Antalya, Türkiye

Prime Minister Matthew Wale departs tomorrow with the Solomon Islands delegation for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).

Türkiye is hosting the crucial two-week summit in Antalya from November 9 to 20.

The global summit convenes world leaders, scientists, civil society organisations, and Indigenous representatives to negotiate urgent climate action.

Wale attended the Pre-COP31 meeting in Fiji last month, securing strong backing from regional Pacific leaders.

He is scheduled to address delegates during the high-level World Leaders Summit, participate in a few high-level discussions and join sideline events as well.

Officials from his office confirmed he will also present the Solomon Islands’ national statement during formal proceedings.

“Island nations facing rising seas and extreme weather cannot endure further delays,” Wale said during the pre-COP meeting.

He called for an immediate end to unfulfilled climate promises.

In Antalya, international delegates have assembled for what is billed as an “Implementation COP.”

The talks aim to shift global climate pledges into measurable action, strict accountability, and accessible funding.

Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum presides over the summit.

Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen leads negotiations as President of Negotiations.

This appointment marks a historic first for UN climate talks.

Grounded in the Taku Pakasoa Declaration, Solomon Islands has aligned with Pacific neighbours, including Fiji, Tuvalu, Tonga, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea.

The Pacific coalition is championing five key negotiation priorities:

• Keep 1.5°C Alive: Secure deep emission cuts to minimize dangerous overshoot for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

• Uphold Science: Ensure IPCC findings and the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion guide all global targets.

• Scale Up Accessible Finance: Deliver predictable, grants-based funding for initiatives like the Pacific Resilience Facility without increasing national debt burdens.

• Protect Special Circumstances: Enforce recognised SIDS provisions in Paris Agreement implementation and climate funding mechanisms.

• Mainstream Ocean-Climate Nexus: Integrate marine ecosystem protection across all negotiation tracks and secure dedicated funding.

Host nation Türkiye has outlined targets focusing on energy transition, resilient infrastructure, zero waste, and marine conservation.

These targets include raising electricity’s share of global energy consumption to 35% by 2035 under the “35 by 35” pledge.

The host also seeks to halve global waste growth and cut building energy use by 25% by 2035.

Furthermore, negotiations seek to mobilize at least US$300 billion annually for developing nations by 2035.

Plans also call for operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund and adopting a fossil fuel transition roadmap.

In an opening UN statement, Kurum urged developed nations to honour climate finance commitments and accelerate clean electrification.

“COP31 will work to turn the commitments of past COPs into real results,” Kurum stated.

“Record temperatures bring devastation faster and fiercer than many can manage,” he warned.

“In Antalya, we must start to respond to the new realities of overshoot.”

Bowen reinforced the need for global cooperation, stressing that renewable investments build economic resilience for all nations.