The President of Kiribati Anote Tong says whatever action the world decides to take at climate change talks in Paris, it comes too late for low-lying island nations like his own.
Transcript
The President of Kiribati Anote Tong says whatever action the world decides to take at climate change talks in Paris, it comes too late for low-lying island nations like his own.
Anote Tong was a keynote speaker at the UN General Assembly on Monday.
Koroi Hawkins has more.
SAM KUTESA: I call to order the High Level Event of the General Assembly on Climate Change
The President of the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa from Uganda says the High- Level event aimed to provide impetus and political momentum for an ambitious climate agreement, by keeping the issue high on the agenda at the mid-point between the upcoming talks - COP20 in Lima and COP21 in Paris.
He said its aim was also to provide space for showcasing climate action and concrete initiatives.
SAM KUTESA: Science has unequivocally pointed to human activity as the main cause of global warming. Yet science also tells us that there is still a chance for our generation to reverse the current trends and preserve our planet. Through broad and collective action. Simply put it is not too late. But we must act now. And we must act with courage.
But the President of Kiribati Anote Tong says any action comes too late.
ANOTE TONG: We are reconciled to the reality that whatever measures we take to remain above the rising seas and more severe weather conditions our islands will never be able to accommodate the current level of population and we do not have the scale of resources required to do this on our own.
Mr Tong called for technical know how and resources to help low lying atoll states adapt to the immediate effects of climate change.
He wants them to be included as an outcome of COP 21.
He called for solidarity in facing what he described as an almost impossible challenge.
ANOTE TONG: Action concrete action that would ensure and guarantee that the future of our global community and our planet earth will be secured. Action that will guarantee that no one will be left behind and more importantly urgent action to address the challenges from climate change for the most vulnerable states on the front-line.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says there has never been a more crucial time for climate change and he commended countries and world leaders such as Pope Francis for adding their voices to the call for action.
Ban Ki Moon went as far as to promise that unlike others before it, COP 21 will deliver on this global pledge.
BAN KI MOON: I pledge to you that I will spare no effort that the world leaders who are responsible for an ambitious agreement in Paris and the financing needed to implement it are directly engaged.
2015 marks 70 years since the formation of the United Nations. In September its member countries will decide on the sustainable development agenda for the next 15 years and in December the focus will turn to the climate change talks in Paris.
The UN has set a deadline of December for coming up with a new international climate agreement.
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