1 May 2017

Tuvalu's PM hopes Trump will keep US in Paris agreement

From , 3:04 pm on 1 May 2017

Tuvalu's prime minister says if the United States leaves the Paris climate agreement, it will be disastrous for his country - and the world.

President Donald Trump told Reuters last week his government will decide within the next fortnight whether or not to leave the 2015 agreement, which sets global targets to reduce the rate of global warming.

Mr Trump has previously called global warming a hoax, and has appointed a climate change sceptic to lead his environmental protection agency.

The prime minister of Tuvalu, a low-lying country which is one of the worst-hit by rising sea levels, Enele Sopoaga, told Jamie Tahana his country is watching the goings-on in Washington closely, and he hopes Mr Trump will reconsider.

Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga and the flag of Tuvalu.

Tuvalu's Prime Minister, Enele Sopoaga. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana