Fiji, Aug. 7 -- Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged world leaders to attend the pre-COP meetings in Fiji and Tuvalu, saying the Pacific offers firsthand evidence of the impacts of climate change and that the region's voices must be heard ahead of the global climate summit.

Responding to questions at a press conference in Suva about reports that Australia was facing challenges in securing attendance by world leaders at the pre-COP meetings, Wong backed Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's call for greater international engagement with the Pacific.

"First thing I'd say is I saw the comments Prime Minister Rabuka made, and I agree with them. And I join with him in saying to the world, come to the Pacific."

"Come to the Pacif...