10 Jun 2013

Tokelau to ask UN for special consideration for territories

1:53 pm on 10 June 2013

Tokelau will ask the United Nations to help colonies link up with international agencies so it can access funding for critical projects.

The Ulu o Tokelau, Aliki Faipule Salesio Lui, says, while the impacts of climate change, coastal erosion and ocean acidification are already plain in Tokelau, it has no opportunity to participate in the international discussion on these issues.

He says as a New Zealand colony, it is not able to join UN bodies like the Alliance of Small Island States or the International Renewable Energy Agency and this is the message he will convey to New York later this month.

"We plan to attend the New York session of the decolonisation committee to continue to raise awareness of our intention that UN organisations need to take special consideration of territories. We are not competing for resources, we are committed to convey our voice and be part of the global community. It is our moral responsibility as leaders of our time."