Sharon Smith-Johns
Permanent Secretary for Information, National Archives and Library Services of Fiji
UPDATE FOR AAP - NICKY PARK
22ND July 2010
Climate Change Session
1. Pacific leaders in Fiji for the “Engaging with the Pacific” meeting reiterated their dissatisfaction at the
Copenhagen Accord which failed to address their common concerns in relation to climate change;
2. Their comments came during a session on climate change chaired by President Anote Tong of Kiribati;
3. The leaders also expressed their concern at the difficulties they faced in accessing funds intended for the
implementation of adaption projects. Some of the leaders including Solomon Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua noted, that
when these did come through, huge portions were often committed as consultancy fees leaving little for capacity
building;
4. Climate change is now considered as the greatest challenge facing the world since the beginning of the 21st
century with the effects of change already being observed on every continent;
5. Right here in the Pacific region, low lying islands such as Kiribati, Tuvalu, the Federated States of Micronesia
and Tonga, which were all represented at the meeting in Natadola, Nadi are already grappling with the dilemma that
threatens their livelihood and very survival.
6. In an emotional appeal to the wider international community, Tuvalu’s Prime Minister invited the relevant
organisations and bodies to visit Tuvalu so that they can appreciate how dire the situation is there.
7. The Pacific leaders also emphasised the need for all Pacific nations to speak with one voice, as it was often
noticed that smaller island nations were rarely listened to.
ENDS