A concerted voice from small islands on climate change will be vital

The Asian Development (ADB) says a strong and coordinated voice on climate change for the Pacific is vital ahead of the Climate Change talks in Paris in December later this year.

Speaking at a public lecture in Fiji, ADB President Takehiko Nakao says the Pacific Islands are already among the most vulnerable in the world to disasters - as cyclone Pam in Vanuatu earlier this year reminded us.

He said natural disaster cost most Pacific island countries over 2% of Gross Domestic Product each year.  

Nakao said expert on International Panel on Climate Change has reported without policy chnage, we can expect a world that is  4 degrees warmer by the end of the century.

“The stakes are high. A concerted voice from small islands - at the forefront of having to adapt to climate change - will be vital. A proposed “Suva Declaration” arising from the Pacific Islands Development Forum in Fiji next week will be an important step in this direction. Simply, a clear message from the Pacific need for greater funds on grants to assist with adaptation efforts will be important," he said.

“ADB is trying to help the Pacific better manage risks from natural disasters and climate change. In close coordination with governments and partners, for instance, we've been able to respond quickly to assist with reconstruction after natural disasters, such as the 2009 Samoa tsunami Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu this year.

“We are integrating resilience to climate change and natural disasters into everything we do in the Pacific. We have to date mobilised over US$80 million in new and additional grants resources to help countries adapt to climate change. And we hope to work closely with the new Green Climate Fund to make futher resources available in the region,” said Nakao.