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By Meleasie Goviro in Port Moresby
Representing the Pacific Islands at the official opening of the African Caribbean and Pacific Leaders Summit, Samoan Prime Minister Dr Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has highlighted the management of climate change to be an “imperative” goal for all ACP countries.
Malielegaoi called on all ACP countries on Tuesday to set aside their differences and work together to curb the effects of climate change in the light of Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
The summit in Port Moresby ended yesterday.
Climate change, Malielegaoi said, was an existential threat for low lying atolls.
He said small countries like Kiribati and Tuvalu needed ACP’s attention and praised the ACP council for including a Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Forum within the ACP structure.
“For SIDS, the Samoa pathway provides the foundation for future actions and partnerships. I applaud the decision of the ACP Council of Ministers to establish a SIDS Forum within our ACP structure.
“This is a clear demonstration of our unity and solidarity to address the challenges of all members of our ACP family.”
Climate funding fundamental
He also stressed that climate funding was fundamental in the fight against the adverse effects of climate change in Pacific communities and announced that Samoa would host the Green Climate Funding Board.
“There are still numerous hurdles to accessing financial funding. I am happy to announce that Samoa is bringing home the December meeting of the Green Climate fund Board so that they can experience first-hand what the impacts are on small islands developing states.”
Malielelgaoi called on the ACP group of countries to work together to strengthen their resilience to climate change among other “exogenous shocks” through a collective effort to implement the sustainable development goals.
“The sustainable development goals are the road map to our future. The ACP group must learn from each other. Share lessons learnt and best practices and where ever possible execute these responsibilities through south-south and triangular cooperation.”
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