Pacific youth urged to bring bold ideas to COP31 climate talks

Pacific youth have been urged to bring bold ideas to COP31, with Youth Climate Champion Sally Higgins pledging to amplify their voices in global climate decision-making.

Speaking at a youth climate dialogue supported by the Pacific Youth Council and United Nations agencies yesterday, Ms Higgins said COP31 presented a rare opportunity to shift power and resources towards young people, positioning them not only as advocates but also as partners, innovators and solution-holders in climate action.

"This is the time for you to ask big things of me," Ms Higgins told participants.

"I have the opportunity to have the ear of senior people and ministers, and at the very least I can work with you to take your ideas into those leadership spaces where you might not otherwise have a voice."

Ms Higgins said the partnership between Australia, Türkiye and the Pacific created a global platform for young people, allowing Pacific voices to reach the international stage in ways previous climate conferences had not.

She described COP31 as a "year for implementation", emphasising that climate discussions must move beyond commitments to practical action driven by communities and young leaders.

Drawing on her upbringing in a small farming community in regional Queensland, Ms Higgins said her experiences had taught her that climate change was already affecting frontline communities and that successful climate action must be grounded in local knowledge and lived experience.

"Communities are central to taking action on climate change," she said, adding that small communities possessed significant expertise and resilience that should help shape climate solutions.

As the COP31 Presidency Youth Climate Champion, Ms Higgins said she worked independently between the Australian Government and the Turkish Presidency, acting as a bridge connecting young people with formal United Nations climate negotiations rather than speaking on their behalf.

She said her role was to create opportunities for Pacific youth and other young people around the world to tell their own stories and advocate directly to global leaders.

Ms Higgins encouraged participants to share their ideas during the dialogue and to continue working with her in the lead-up to COP31.

"I really want to hear from you, and I want to learn from you," she said.

"Please come to me with those bold ideas and suggestions so we can try to deliver them together."

The dialogue highlighted growing efforts to strengthen youth participation in international climate governance, with Pacific youth expected to play an increasingly influential role as preparations for COP31 continue.