In his address at the event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the Pacific's myriad climate threats, adding that the decisions world leaders take in the coming years will determine the fate, first of Pacific Islanders, and then everyone else. Guterres insisted that if we save the Pacific, we save the world.

Pacific leaders will mount a renewed push later this week for a homegrown climate adaptation fund, an idea that has stalled as much-needed foreign contributions dry up. They will also mull over Australia’s bid to host the COP climate conference in 2026.

The topic of deep-sea mining does not appear on any official agenda, but it will likely be the subject of heated debate behind closed doors.