The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, will join Pacific Islands Forum Leaders for an historic high-level dialogue in Suva next week, Forum Chair and President of Nauru, Baron Waqa announced Tuesday.
Secretary General Guterres is travelling to the region to meet Pacific leaders in order to drive momentum in the lead-up to the United Nations Climate Action Summit in September.
“For the Pacific climate change is not a debate or a policy question – it is our reality,” said President Waqa.
“It is right that the UN Secretary General is coming to our region to prepare for his Summit. I know he appreciates the seriousness of the issue and understands the countries and people of the Blue Pacific are facing an existential threat not tomorrow, but today,” said President Waqa.
Last year’s IPCC Special Report on Limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C provides clear scientific evidence that urgent action is required to reduce global emissions by 45% within the next 12 years to reach the 1.5°C target.
“Our call for urgent global action on climate change must be strong, and it must be clear. The time to act is now.
“Pacific Islands Forum Leaders look forward to taking this message to our important meeting in Suva, and thank Secretary General Guterres for ensuring a Blue Pacific perspective to his Summit preparations,” said President Waqa.
Pacific Leaders will meet with the UN Secretary General on Wednesday 15 May at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji.
This is the first time a sitting UN Secretary General has met with Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in the region.
It is the first time since 2002 that Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have meet at the Forum Secretariat in Fiji.
Photo: Loop Nauru. Caption: Nauru President and Forum Chair, Baron Waqa