Small island nations are meeting in the Maldives this week to prepare a common strategy to fight rising sea levels that threaten to submerge them.
Among the 26 countries represented are Tonga, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and Solomon Islands.
The Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is expected to produce a declaration that climate change threatens the rights of individuals to live safe and sustainable lives.
Mr Gayooom has warned a one metre sea rise could prove the death of a nation.
Scientific opinion is divided on how soon it could happen, with estimates ranging from 30 to 100 years.
