The European Union has promised to help Pacific nations cope with climate change, amid fears low-lying countries will disappear altogether.
In a joint agreement between the European Union and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member nations, the EU agreed to provide technical and financial assistance to those affected by climate change.
The EU said it would, in collaboration with Australia and New Zealand, support projects aimed at helping Pacific countries adapt to the challenge.
It also pledged to support moves for improved conservation of natural resources, renewable energy projects, and fund local research into climate change.
"The Pacific region is already witnessing the impact of increasing global temperature and rising sea levels," the EU said in a statement.
"Some states, such as Kiribati and Tuvalu, are faced with the prospect of disappearing completely under water in a few decades," it said.
Niue Premier Toke Tilagi, who is the current PIF chair, said global warming was of vital importance to Pacific countries.
"This is an area of the world where a two degree global temperature increase makes the whole difference between life and death," he said.
EU Commissioner for Development Louis Michel said Europe and the Pacific were far away physically but both areas shared the same concerns in the face of global challenges.
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