Leaders from around the world are set to gather for a special pre-summit meeting in Tuvalu ahead of the COP31 climate conference, as preparations intensify for negotiations on new global emissions targets.

According to a report in the Guardian, the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, widely seen as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, will host a dedicated leaders’ event as part of the lead-up to the climate summit.

The meeting will be held alongside a broader pre-COP gathering in Fiji scheduled for October.

Turkey’s climate minister, Murat Kurum, who will preside over the COP31 summit, announced the plans in a letter to international partners.

The main conference is set to take place in Antalya, Turkey, on November 11-12 under a joint arrangement between Ankara and Canberra.

Kurum expressed strong confidence in Australia’s Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Chris Bowen, who will play a central role in overseeing negotiations.

He said both sides were committed to working closely to advance climate action, strengthen resilience, and accelerate the global shift toward clean energy.

Efforts to prepare for the summit are taking place against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and energy market disruptions, particularly linked to the Middle East.

Speaking during a visit to Canberra, Germany’s State Secretary for Environment and Climate Action, Jochen Flasbarth, warned that global conflicts should not divert attention from the urgency of tackling climate change.

He emphasised the need to speed up electrification across key sectors, including transport, industry, and households, describing it as critical to reducing emissions.

Flasbarth suggested that the ongoing Middle East conflict, where shipping through the crucial Strait of Hormuz is facing challenges, could prompt countries to move away from fossil fuels.

Germany, where renewable energy now accounts for about 60% of supply, has been working to phase out coal by 2038.

However, recent disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have led to some coal-fired plants being brought back into operation temporarily.

Officials said that the COP31 meeting will focus on building consensus and driving practical action, with dialogue among nations playing a central role.

A youth climate champion has also been appointed as part of efforts to broaden engagement in the process.