Fiji, Aug. 20 -- The Pacific's COP31 process has begun in Fiji, with communities, Indigenous Peoples, youth, farmers, chiefs and climate advocates gathering in Nadi to put Pacific priorities at the centre of global climate discussions.

Siaosi Carter, Director of the ANU Pacific Institute, said the gathering marked an important moment after years of Pacific advocacy for greater regional involvement in the COP process.

"COP31 has arrived into the Pacific."

"After the many years of advocating, socialising and mobilising for Pacific COP - it has started and finally arrived in the Pacific. BULA," said Carter.

Carter said the gathering in Nadi is the first of three mandated meetings to be hosted in the Pacific, separate from COP and Pre-COP...