WE in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) must not be distracted by the deniers of climate change, says Tuvaluan Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga while addressing leaders from the member states of the Pacific Islands Forum for the 50th Forum Leaders Meeting in Funafuti, Tuvalu last night.
Mr Sopoaga said leaders must remain committed to the momentum of real actions which include the United Nations Secretary General’s Climate Action Summit next month in New York and the COP25 meeting in Chile.
“When you return, tell those university professors and other deniers who do desk studies about Tuvalu what you have seen, felt and witnessed for yourselves during your short stay,” he said.
Mr Sopoaga told leaders they must respond to the fundamental changes and challenges that affected the Pacific and beyond.
He said the leaders’ shared goal was for a prosperous, secure and peaceful Pacific for all generations.
“Let us continue to be more co-operative, ever ready to manage the issues of global proportions that will impact our future, including climate change, the geopolitical and economic power play, the challenges to a multilateral trading system and growing digital divide to mention but a few,” he said.
“It is such challenges that we must ensure that we in the Pacific are not left behind.
“We are fully aware of the diverse circumstances and needs of our membership, contexts and our capacities and we are the best of our destiny.”
The chair of this week’s Forum Leaders Meeting also called on his fellow counterparts to be bold and be seen as the ones who created a future for all.
The leaders of member states of the PIF will convene in Funafuti this morning for the Forum Leaders Meeting.
