By Daniel Namosuaia, Solomon Star: http://www.solomonstarnews.com
5 July 2013, Nadi, Fiji - The theme for the 44th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting has been unveiled during the final day of the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable in Nadi, Fiji.
The leaders forum which will be held in Majuro, Marshall Islands from the 3-6 September is based on the theme “Marshalling the Pacific Response to the Climate Challenge”.
Pacific island government officials have been urged to prepare well for the Forum as it is seen as one of the very important meetings to discuss serious climate change issues affecting the Pacific community today.
Whilst climate change is at the forefront of this forum, Pacific leaders and officials are encouraged to utilise this opportunity to build Pacific solidarity in the fight against climate change.
The three key sub-themes for this forum are;
1. Accelerate energy efficiency and the transition to renewable energy in the Pacific region with a “Pacific New Energy Drive”.
2. Ensuring climate-resilient sustainable development: climate-proofing key infrastructure & adapting key industries.
3. Address longer-term threats to security, including island inhabitability, forced relocation and loss of territory.
The forum will lead to the, “Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership,” driven and owned by the Pacific islands.
It is seen as a stepping stone to the United Nations Secretary General summit in 2014, the Small Islands Developing States conference and 2015 Legally Binding Agreement.
It is also a drive to demonstrate Pacific leadership in renewable energy.
Leaders have been urged to prepare and list their national mitigation plans, targets and actions (existing and/or new) for this Forum.
The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean.
It was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum. In 1999, the name was changed; Pacific Islands Forum is more inclusive of the Forum's Oceania-spanning membership of both north and south Pacific island countries and Australia. It is an official observer at the United Nations.
Source: Scoop International News