Pacific Island states navigate Covid travel curbs to attend COP26

Posted on 13 October 2021

COP26 is the biggest diplomatic summit to take place face-to-face since the coronavirus pandemic shut down travel. Its goal is to finalise the implementation rules of the 2015 Paris climate accord. 

For the delegates, who represent the 197 countries that endorsed the Paris agreement, getting there means navigating Covid-19 restrictions, quarantines and vaccination requirements as well as visa rules. 


“The Pacific has historically been one of the highest voices for climate ambition, for limiting global warming to 1.5C [above pre-industrial levels],” said climate negotiator for the March Islands Tina Stege. “It would obviously be a blow if any of our folks from the Pacific were not there.”  

Here is a list of demands from Pacific leaders for action.