The United Kingdom’s top diplomat in Samoa says he hopes a recently launched photography competition will create more public awareness on climate change in Samoa.

The British High Commissioner to Samoa, David Ward, said the United Kingdom’s Pacific Climate Photography Competition has a climate change-theme and is being held across the region to highlight the impact and challenges of climate change.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer on Tuesday, Mr Ward said he hoped the competition will create public awareness on climate change and advise Samoans joining the competition to "find their own vision.”

“It is hosted by British government officers, British high commissions all across the Pacific for entrance from any Pacific island state to take part in and we will have a panel of judges, professional judges who are arts professionals from different countries in the Pacific, we are hoping one (of the entries) will be from Samoa,” he said. “And then afterwards we will arrange for the photographs to be exhibited in all Pacific island states."

There are prizes for the winning photographers in different categories, according to Mr Ward which are the adult, junior and school children. The prizes include a Nikon digital SLR, GoPro Hero7 and Fujifilm XP140 cameras.

Mr Ward further stated that as the hosts of the COP26 in November next year, they want to make sure that there is growing public attention in the leadup to the conference, and momentum towards higher targets and higher ambition on climate change, so there will be pressure on governments to step forward with stronger commitments and more action to reduce the impact of climate change.

The 50 finalists (10 from each category) will have their photo exhibited in Pacific Island countries next year. There are five categories which are Marine, Land, People, Youth (under 21) and Junior (12 and under).