Fiji, Sept. 10 -- Pacific civil society representatives are calling for their voices and the experiences of frontline communities to shape climate negotiations as they gather in Tuvalu ahead of the Pacific Pre-COP31 process.

Tuvalu's Minister for Climate Change and Environment, Maina Vakafua Talia, opened the regional dialogue in Funafuti with a blunt warning about the stakes facing Pacific communities.

"This is not a romantic issue. It's about the very survival of our people," Talia said.

The Minister was speaking at a welcoming dinner for civil society representatives, regional organisations, development partners, faith-based organisations and community representatives ahead of the two-day Civil Society Regional Dialogue for Pacific ...