Victoria
Cocos Islands excluded from federal COP31 climate forum
The federal government has excluded Cocos Islands residents from a COP31 forum despite their shared climate vulnerabilities with Pacific nations.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands residents have been excluded from participating in a key climate forum at the upcoming COP31 summit, despite facing environmental threats identical to those of their Pacific neighbours. The decision has drawn attention to the boundaries of the federal government's regional climate diplomacy.
According to reporting by wire services, the Albanese government's intensive diplomatic focus on Pacific nations has left the remote Indian Ocean territory on the outer. Local community members have reportedly been denied the opportunity to take part in a forum associated with the major United Nations climate conference, which Australia is bidding to co-host alongside Pacific countries.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an Australian external territory located in the Indian Ocean, consisting of low-lying coral atolls. Residents of the territory are highly vulnerable to rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and ocean warming. These are the same critical climate vulnerabilities that Australia has pledged to help address in the Pacific region through its regional climate advocacy. The strong similarities in climate risk had previously led to expectations that the islands would be included in broader Australian delegations.
Details regarding the official rationale for the decision to exclude Cocos representatives remain limited, and the federal government has not yet clarified why the territory cannot participate in the forum. The exclusion has prompted concerns among local advocates who argue that the territory's unique voice is being sidelined. Community members have previously sought greater integration into national climate strategies, making the latest decision a source of frustration for those seeking representation.
Watch for whether the federal government faces formal questioning from crossbench senators over its engagement with Australian external territories ahead of the COP31 summit.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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