Nauru President pays tribute to late regional climate champions

The meeting of leaders of the Smaller Islands States of the Pacific Islands Forum got underway in Apia, Samoa this morning with tributes paid to two of the region’s climate change champions who passed away recently.

Nauru President and Chair of the meeting, Baron Waqa acknowledged the contribution of the sons of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the late Minister-in-Assistance to President Hilda Heine, Mattlan Zachras and former Foreign Minister, Tony de Brum.

“The passing of both men is not only a loss to the Marshalls but to the Pacific region as well. Especially in regard to Tony who was so well known to many in the region. Tony was our champion of climate change and he was like an older brother to all,” President Waqa said.

As for the meeting proper, the eight-member SIS leaders grouping is discussing the recently adopted SIS regional strategy.

Items on the agenda are a joint SIS proposal to access the Green Climate Fund, labour mobility and air and sea transportation.

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor said the recommendations on air services and labour mobility are initiatives that bring SIS countries closer together.

“It also presents the possibility of a joint-SIS proposal to the Green Climate Fund, an initiative that will require great coordination, collaboration with the Secretariat and the respective administrations.”

President Waqa said the issues before the leaders are of special importance and strategic value to the SIS.

“As smallest members of the Forum we must stand together and be firm on what we believe is important to our future,” he said.

The members of the SIS group are Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Niue.

The Smaller Island States of the Pacific Islands Forum adopted a new strategy to ensure their unique vulnerabilities are recognized and addressed as part of the regional policy agenda

Air and sea transportation services have been an ongoing challenge for SIS. The Strategy concentrates efforts on constructive political dialogue to secure fair and equitable air service agreements. Additionally, it reiterates the sovereignty of the upper air space of the SIS and asks for work to be done to ensure options for its greater management and control.

The effects of climate change on the States have been recognized as the single most important issue they face and the strategy will focus on collectively accessing climate finance through a joint proposal. It also calls for a scoping of prospects for a regional climate fund to accelerate and expand funding options in future.

The mobility of labor across the region was also highlighted as an issue of particular importance to the SIS. One element of the strategy suggests mapping current labour flows across the region to establish a better understanding of the opportunities that exist for workers from SIS members. Consideration is also given to free movement of skilled labor within the region when linked to regional disaster response and trade and investment opportunities.

The leaders are expected to make decisions on the three issues in their meeting today. 

 

Photo by Loop Nauru. Caption: Nauru President Baron Waqa (right) greets Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga before the opening of the SIS Leaders meeting in Apia.  

 

     

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