Pacific island countries sign declaration on climate change

The Pacific Islands Development Forum 's (PIDF) 3rd summit concluded Friday, where the Suva Declaration on Climate Change was signed, formed a common voice before a United Nations climate conference is held in France later this year.

Leaders of Fiji, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and the Federated States of Micronesia signed the Suva Declaration on Climate Change shortly before the summit concluded, while other countries have to go through certain procedures before endorsing the declaration, which Pacific leaders intend to take to Paris, France at the United Nations Climate Change Summit and place before the world as a bargaining chip.

Pacific island countries and territories "are gravely distressed that climate change poses irreversible loss and damage to our people, societies, livelihoods, and natural environments," the declaration said, urging developed countries to "increase technology transfer, climate change financing, and capacity building support, to enable increased mitigation and adaptation actions by developing countries, particularly to the most vulnerable countries including the small island developing States. "

During the summit, the Pacific Islands Development Forum Charter, which sets out the PIDF's structure, rules, conventions and objectives, was signed, which is a formal acknowledgment of the PIDF as an international organization.

The PIDF's secretariat is based in Suva. The forum's inaugural and 2nd summits were held in August, 2013 and June, 2014 successively, both at Fiji's tourism hub of Nadi. Endi