Fiji ready to secure world leaders at Pre-COP31: PM
Australia and New Zealand to support Fiji as police lead multi-agency VVIP security operation
Thursday 13 August 2026 | 09:00
Updated 13 August 2026 | 10:23 FJT
Top leaders who have been invited to the pre-COP31 meeting in Fiji (from left) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Xinping, United States President Donald Trump, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Andy Burnham and President of France Emmanuel Macron.
Photo: AAP-Lukas Coch/Xinhua/Google
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is confident Fiji can handle security arrangements for the Pre-COP31 summit in Nadi from October 5 to 8.
The summit is expected to attract world leaders including United States President Donald Trump, China’s President Xi Jinping, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Mr Rabuka, who chairs the National Security Council, said Fiji had already signed an agreement with Australia and New Zealand ahead of the summit.
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“I am confident that Fiji can handle the security arrangements to cover all those who are coming and we have just signed the agreement with Australia and New Zealand, so we can look forward to their cooperation in those areas,” he said.
Asked whether Australia would assist Fiji with security, Mr Rabuka said: “I’m sure they will, yes.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe confirmed Australia was funding logistics for the Fiji Police Force, with the Fiji Government covering the rest remaining costs.
“We’ve been having a series of meetings with our counterparts from Australia, and we are prepared well for that,” ACP Vusonilawe said.
A multi-agency coordinating centre (MAC) will bring together the Fiji Police Force, Ministry of Health, Fiji Roads Authority and National Fire Authority to manage VVIP movements and airport arrivals.
He also confirmed the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) would be involved, with police leading the operation.
Beyond security, Mr Rabuka said the summit was a rare chance for global leaders to see climate change impacts firsthand.
“Mostly the rising sea levels and the displacement of parts of our national population and the need for international support for our handling the sea level rises, sea walls and soil erosion,” he said, adding that these were issues world leaders needed to see for themselves.
The summit will be held in Nadi from October 5 to 8, with a leaders’ component in Tuvalu.
Australia's involvement in the summit has also come under scrutiny over reported spending, with Opposition figures criticising the cost amid cost-of-living pressures.
Australia’s Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen and Housing Minister Clare O’Neil defended the reported AUD$20 million (FJ$31.2 million) spend, calling Australia’s involvement critical to the country’s future and a chance to lead on global climate outcomes.
Australian tender documents reported last month showed more than A$4.2 million had been set aside for hotel accommodation and meeting facilities for the Fiji event.
COP31 proper will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, in November.
