Fiji, Oct. 15 -- The head of an influential Pacific nations group has taken a swipe at Australia's fixation on attendance and cost of this month's pre-COP event, while urging greater climate investment for the region.

Palau President Surangel Whipps, who became Pacific Islands Forum chair after hosting the region's annual summit last month, has spent the week in Canberra on a bilateral visit.

The trip lands between the two central events of annual climate talks: the Fiji and Tuvalu-hosted pre-COP last week and next month's COP31 in Turkey.

In the lead-up to pre-COP, Australia placed an emphasis on inviting leaders and ministers to the talks.

Not normally attended by such senior politicians, the goal was for the world to witness the im...