He said millions of his own people were suffering from what could be PNG’s worst drought in 20 years and a looming food crisis, because of an El Nino weather system which was exacerbated by climate change.
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Australia and New Zealand are likely to receive a dressing down behind the scenes over what some consider unambitious carbon emissions reduction targets. The Pacific leaders reminded that “this is our last chance to reach an outcome that must reverse the global warming pathway to ensure the future survival and existence of our nations, people and culture”.
“I think (Australia) is a very strong member of the Pacific forum and we look forward to their continued participation over many many years”.
The goal is to limit average global warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels.
Climate change is proving to be the hot button issue with Kiribati President Anote Tong hinting the forum’s credibility could be on the line if it doesn’t deliver big for nations like his.
The Samoan Prime Minister told reporters at the announcement of the service that rugby and cricket will be the most popular things to watch in his nation.
“We can not negotiate this, we can not be bought by aid on this one”, he said.
The Pacific Islands Forum is a political grouping of 16 independent and self-governing states, which include Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Kiribati, with its population of 110,000 spread across 33 low-lying islands, is particularly vulnerable to climate change.
The full 15-nation PIF is expected to echo the sentiments of the small island nations during this week’s summit.
Human rights groups have expressed alarm that more asylum seekers who were taken to Manus Island against their will have so far died than been resettled since the detention centre was reopened more than two years ago.
His representative amongst the 14 presidents and prime ministers at the official opening of the Forum was parliamentary secretary Christian Potter. “We need global leadership, an immediate moratorium on all new coal mines and a planned retreat from coal that involves a just transition for existing workers and developed in consultation with affected communities”, said Mr Ritter.
An Oxfam report, released on Monday, to coincide with the summit has called on Australia and New Zealand not to sell out their tiny Pacific neighbours.
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Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has blamed his decision to boycott the event squarely on Australia’s climate change inaction in a personal letter to Mr O’Neill.
