In 1999 through the initial communication report, Kiribati underscored the grave concerns faced by climate change. The Government of Kiribati is thankful for some initial reactions from the international community responding to these concerns with few adaptation projects. These efforts are not adequate in so far!
In this second report the same premises upon which Kiribati underlined the concerns in the initial communication report have not been changed but rather intensified and complex over time as observed in the last 10 years. The status of national circumstances, measures undertaken, including constraints toward meeting our obligation under the UNFCCC are all explicitly detailed in this report. This is also in recognition of the fact that Kiribati, as a Least Developed Country, can do very little to prevent the damages and impacts it is now facing. This also demonstrates our trust in the UNFCCC which is the only multilateral fora responsible for avoiding dangerous climate change impacts and enhances environmental integrity.
The Government and people of Kiribati have been and will continue to be mentally, physically worried and apprehensive by risks brought in by climate change, extreme events, slow onset events and sea level rise in the near and longer term future.
On that note, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to those who have contributed to this significant Second communication report by Kiribati to the UNFCCC, and to invite development partners particularly Developed Country Parties to consider the real issues highlighted in this report with optimism for their immediate support in the less distant future.