The heads of 56 Commonwealth nations are holding a major summit in Samoa as Pacific island nations push for more to be done to address rising sea levels.
The impacts of climate change pose an existential threat to smaller island nations in the region.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which happens every two years, is being hosted in the Pacific region for the first time, which experts and leaders say is pertinent timing to put a spotlight on climate impacts in the region.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is attending the meeting, which will be the first King Charles and Queen Camilla preside over since taking the throne.
An opening ceremony will precede the official group photo and the King will then hold a reception for newly appointed heads of state before a broader reception for leaders and their partners later in the evening.
A more secretive leaders retreat will take place at a beach resort on Saturday.
Pacific affairs expert George Carter said the meeting being held in the Pacific meant leaders had the change to see first-hand the impact on climate change.
Heavy rains and localised flooding across the Samoan capital Apia on Thursday was a timely reminder of what vulnerable nations were going through, he told AAP.
“In terms of sea level rises, this has been an issue Pacific islands have focused on this year,” he said, referencing previous meetings at the Pacific Islands Forum and United Nations General Assembly where the issue was brought up.
“What’s unique is the lived experience and the reality of changing weather patterns here in the Pacific.”
Pacific expert Dr Meg Keen agreed island nations were pushing for concrete action on climate change, including seeking greater access to finance to tackle associated challenges, such as the need to build sea walls to stop the rising tide.
Mr Albanese has flagged Australia taking a leading role in addressing climate change after criticism from Tuvalu’s prime minister that larger Commonwealth nations needed to do more to phase out fossil fuels.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who is also attending the meeting, said she hoped the leaders would be able to agree to a forward-leaning statement on climate action and outline steps to respond to the threats it poses.
Pacific island nations retaining sovereignty over exclusive economic zones – which grants rights over ocean resources across a specified area – as sea levels rise and threaten legal rights should also be addressed, she said.
Mr Albanese will also hold his first face-to-face meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer since the latter took office.
