A Regional Advisor for the upcoming 26th United Nations Climate Change conference - also known as COP26 - has told the Samoa Chamber of Commerce that it will be vital that Pacific voices are included in the conversation.

The UK will be hosting the next United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP26 in Glasgow in November. The event will bring together world leaders to discuss and agree urgent action to tackle the climate crisis.

Ben Abrahams who is the region's COP26 regional advisor made the comments during a virtual meeting with the Samoa Chamber of Commerce which was based on the engagement of Samoa's Private Sector in COP26 and climate change, on Monday 18th of November.

According to a statement issued by the Samoa Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Abrahams explained two key campaigns which are "Race to Zero" and "Race to Resilience" which exist to channel partnerships with all sectors of society to mobilize them into action. 

The ‘Race to Zero’ is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from all non-state actors for healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery.

Its sister campaign, the ‘Race to Resilience’ aims to galvanize the action of businesses or non-state actors towards committing activities that will build resilience of people and communities to climate change and climate change risks. 

The campaigns emphasise the importance of corporate climate leadership and the spirit of corporate responsibility for the environment. 

He had acknowledged the importance of the Pacific voice to be included in conversations on climate change.

Mr. Abrahams added that it is a great way to keep the Pacific voice projected loud globally through participation in these campaigns.

The Acting United Kingdom High Commissioner to Samoa Ian Richards shared a presentation about trade opportunities that are currently available for Samoa’s private sector and announced the UK is in the process of negotiating with Samoa and other Pacific states to formalize a full economic partnership agreement in the coming months.