Fiji, Oct. 6 -- A powerful performance from the award-winning Primanavia Choir, welcoming thousands of delegates to Fiji, and calling for the protection of their home, set the tone for the next four days as the UNFCCC pre-COP31 gets underway in Nadi, Fiji.

"We are all honest about the challenge," said Fiji's Minister for Information, Climate Change and Environment, Lynda Tabuya. "Recent COP meetings have resulted in decisions and dialogues which have moved a number of issues forward but the big picture remains unchanged.

"A 1.5 degree overshoot is imminent, finance is not flowing at the speed or scale required, and many core challenges with the agenda remain unsolved. We need to act now."

On Monday in Denarau, Minister Tabuya welcomed ...