‘The theme of our conference is dear to me and my country,' said the Honorable John Silk, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Marshall Islands, in his opening address as chair of the high level conference.
‘My small atoll country already faces a wide range of pressures and constraints to achieving long-term sustainable development, due to threats posed by climate change. Our shores are shifting, the salinity in our soil is increasing, our marine resources and fish stocks are changing - all of which put extreme pressure on the livelihoods of Marshallese people, particularly where food and water security are concerned.
‘It is timely that we, as a region, discuss the threats of climate change to food and water security,' he said.
Heads of government, ministers and ambassadors from 22 Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) and Australia, France, New Zealand and the USA are deliberating on one of the most critical issues facing the Pacific region today at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) headquarters in Anse Vata, Noumea. Read the full report here.
Source: Pacific.Scoop.
