Officials from across the Pacific are meeting in Suva this week to consider the agenda for this year’s Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting.
As part of their planning for the region’s premiere political meeting, to be held in Port Moresby next month, officials will consider a consolidated regional political statement on the global climate negotiations.
Members of the Pacific Islands Forum Officials Committee will consider the text of a statement that brings together the key demands of Pacific island governments in the global climate negotiations.
Key positions for the negotiations include: seeking to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, and seeking commitments for new and additional financing for climate change adaptation in vulnerable countries.
Pacific governments are also demanding a mechanism to compensate vulnerable countries for permanent loss and damage arising from a changing climate.
At previous Forums, Pacific leaders have repeatedly stated that climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific.
Moves to consider a strong regional statement on climate change have been welcomed by Pacific civil society representatives.
Convenor of the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), Shirley Laban, said a statement on the global negotiations would be welcomed by communities across the Pacific.
“2015 is a critical moment in history for Pacific island countries,” said Mrs Laban.
“Island leaders are at the forefront of a global movement for greater action to tackle climate change.
“We must support them to secure a meaningful global agreement to tackle emissions.
“Failure to reach an agreement will condemn Pacific communities to the most devastating consequences of climate change.”
PICAN is a network that brings together civil society actors in Pacific island countries advocating for climate justice.
Documents obtained by PACNEWS reveal the urgency for Pacific nations to make a strong political statement on climate change and have a strong presence in Paris at COP21 in December.
"Noting the urgency to act and the significant threat posed by climate change to vulnerable Forum Island Countries (FICs)and in light of recent disasters that have affected the region, which are exacerbated by climate change, there is need for the region to have a co-ordinated and collective voice in Paris during COP21."
"The challenges faced by vulnerable FICs must be made known to the world in Paris through a strong and united Pacific voice, said the report of the Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism (SSCR).
SSCR has recommended to the Forum Officials Committee (FOC) to consider climate change and disaster risk management to be one of the five agenda items for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders when they meet in Port Moresby early next month.