Pacific Islands Forum leaders are expected to make their strongest statement yet on climate change and its impacts on the region at this week's summit in Niue.
Climate change is a key concern of the host Niue which has chosen the phrase Tu Tokaga, or "be alert" as its slogan for the event.
The Niue Government says global warming threatens the existence of the Pacific and countries need to be prepared.
The acting secretary general of the Forum, Feleti Teo, says its significant for the island countries that Australia's now committed to the Kyoto Protocol on addressing climate change.
"I think this would be the first opportunity for the leaders to meet where evrybody is a partner to the Kyoto Protocol. So we are expecting a pretty strong statement in support of the processes that will lead up to the post-Kyoto processes. And it will be, I imagine, unanimous support (that) will be given if all the members of the Forum are party to it."
Feleti Teo says the island countries will also be asking the Post Forum Dialogue partners to improve access to the Adaptation Fund for global warming.
