SUVA (Pacnews/Fiji Times/Pacific Media Watch): Individual political agendas should not be used to try and influence other countries, says Kiribati President Anote Tong.
Tong said this about the conduct of Australia and New Zealand at the Pacific Islands Forum.
Speaking at the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) leaders summit in Fiji, he said it was time Pacific countries worked on a united solution rather than listening to bigger nations which did not feel the effects of climate change like Pacific Island countries.
Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Tony de Brum said it was time for Pacific Island states to tell their bigger brothers enough was enough and not allow them to dictate the way for them.
He said Pacific Island leaders needed to have a strong voice and action the problems.
Ahead of the forum making their declaration, Tong said it would be good to word the declaration as strongly as possible to allow them to have a strong voice at COP 21 in Paris.
“I don't know what problems these countries have in having a strong language but we have a very big problem. If we don't have a strong language, we need action as soon as possible,” Tong said.
“And if to achieve that we need to word any declaration as strong as possible, then we should do that. I think there would be greater harm for us than for countries who are trying to keep their own political status, for us domestically and internationally."
He said countries such as Australia, climate change may not be the problem “but for us it is the most important issue because it would determine our future survival and I hope our friends would be able to help us on an issue as significant as that,” he said.
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