Overview

• Leaders are meeting under host-imposed restrictions that exclude dialogue partners, resulting in a smaller gathering than usual.
• Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele made the call after pressure from Beijing to keep Taiwan out, shutting out countries such as the United States, China, France and Japan.
• Pacific states have created a regional adaptation fund tailored to community-scale projects, with Australia committing $100 million so far.
• Experts warn the closed format could deter foreign climate finance and make progress on a collective security agreement more difficult.
• There is an expectation Australia will add to its pledge and help attract other contributors, while its bid to co-host COP31 with Pacific partners remains unresolved.