FORUM leaders worked to the best they could, says chair of the 50th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and Tuvaluan Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga.
Mr Sopoaga said the 18 forum leaders brought their common interests and their own national interests and as chair he appreciated the contribution of all leaders.
Responding to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s comments expressing his disappointment that forum leaders could not reach a consensus after their deliberations on Thursday, Mr Sopoaga said leaders always tried to move towards a common understanding, and, therefore, the recommendation outcomes contained in the meeting’s communiqué were issues leaders found common.
“Of course there are preferences and expectations as well, but they think the outcome is very good and probably the very best outcome given the context and circumstances,” he said.
“I fully respect Prime Minister Bainimarama’s response.
“I think it comes from the spirit that we had expected a very, very strong statement.
“One thing that we need to commend the PIF leaders is their decision to endorse the language of the small island states (SIS) leaders which included the Tuvalu Climate Change Sautalaga statement.
“Basically, that is also supported by Pacific SIDS. That is a powerful gesture by PIF leaders. It had to be accepted as discussed properly and I am grateful we came to that decision.
“That SIS leaders decision outcome contains the language on climate change based on the perspective of PSIDS and I think that platform further amplifies what leaders under the PIF climate change statement on the issues that are very, very urgent with calls to significant emission reductions in order to respond to the IPCC special report on 1.5 degrees. I think it’s a strong platform.”
