Pacific Islands Development Forum congratulates Tonga for ratifying Paris agreement

The Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) said Wednesday it conveys its gratitude and acknowledgment to Tonga for its commitment to ratifying the Paris agreement last week and strengthening the voice of the Pacific island countries.

An official statement that has been sent by the PIDF's Secretary General Francois Martel to all member countries reiterated the call for Pacific island countries to remain united and urged them to ratify the Paris agreement at its earliest, according to the forum's Suva-based secretariat.

"The ratification by the Kingdom of Tonga on Sept. 21 is most welcome as it reaffirms the voice of Pacific islands on the urgency of action on climate change," Martel said.

"The devastating impacts of climate change are already a reality for all Pacific islands. Being at the front-line means, we need to remind the world nations of their collective responsibilities and urge all parties to do their part and fully implement the Paris agreement," he added.

Tongan King Tupou VI has consented to the decision to ratify the Paris agreement. The Pacific island kingdom is scheduled to ratify the agreement on Sept. 21.

The Paris agreement, reached in 2015 by parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is aimed at holding the global average rise in temperature below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has invited world leaders to submit their ratification documents of Paris agreement on climate change at a special event on Sept. 21. Endit