Pacific Islands: Climate Security in the Pacific: Emerging Trends, Priorities, and Solutions

Jan 19, 2026 | UNDP
United Nations
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Pacific Island countries are among those most affected by climate change. Rising sea levels, shifting rainfall patterns and increasing extreme weather events threaten land, livelihoods and cultural heritage across the region, which in turn is intensifying pressures on social cohesion – straining community relations, challenging livelihoods and way of living and posing key questions about the future.Despite these mounting challenges, the Pacific is increasingly shaping global thinking on climate and environmental security. This has been reflected in recent diplomatic developments, including the Türkiye COP31 Presidency and Australia’s leadership of the COP31 negotiations, backed by Pacific Island countries, and the decision to hold a COP31 pre-COP in the Pacific, creating space to spotlight regional priorities. Pacific leadership has also been visible in efforts to strengthen international legal accountability—through the landmark International Court of Justice advisory proceedings on States’ obligations in respect of climate change, and through initiatives such as the proposal by Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa to add ecocide to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.On 20 November 2025, the UN Community of Practice on Climate, Peace and Security held its second-ever Pacific-focused session. Convened by the Climate Security Mechanism (CSM), the discussion brought together regional experts, community practitioners and international partners to discuss ongoing challenges and priorities but also to showcase some innovative responses put in place across the region.