Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna has welcomed China’s climate change commitments.
He made the statement when he met with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Suva.
In a statement, SG Puna said China is a long standing and important Forum Dialogue Partner, and development partner, to our Blue Pacific region.
“Recognising this, we are keen to build on and strengthen our partnership, to progress our Forum Leaders’ regional priorities.
In their discussion with Foreign Minister Wang Yi Sunday, SG Puna emphasised three key issues.
“Firstly, urgent and ambitious climate change action. Our Forum Leaders have identified climate change as the single greatest threat facing our Blue Pacific region. Action to keep our world below 1.5 degrees is vital for the future prosperity and wellbeing of our region.
“We welcome China’s climate change commitments and as we look to COP 27 in Egypt and call on all our international partners to submit enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions in line with the 1.5 degrees pathway and net zero by 2050.
“Secondly, COVID-19 economic recovery. As our Pacific borders re-open and we adapt to life with COVID-19, we invite greater engagement with China to learn from and connect with your economic innovation and your education, trade, and business development opportunities. As the Blue Pacific, we must build more diverse, resilient, and digitally connected economies that provide good jobs for all our people.
Thirdly, our 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. When our Forum Leaders meet very shortly here in Suva, they will consider and endorse the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent,” said SG Puna in a statement.
He said the 2050 Strategy has been developed by the 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum to chart the regions course for the next three decades.
“It will respond to and guide our collective efforts to address our current challenges. It will also harness our shared strengths – our culture and heritage; our island and ocean resources; our natural environment.
We invite China, and all our international partners, to work with us in taking forward our ambition and determination for a sustainable inclusive future for all our people,” he said in a statement.
SOURCE: PACNEWS
