Pacific Islands criticise NZ, Aust climate response

Published: 9:42PM Thursday August 05, 2010 Source: ONE News/NZPA

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New Zealand and Australia have been accused of not doing enough to help our Pacific neighbours with climate change.

The accusation was made at the South Pacific Forum, which has just wrapped up in Vanuatu.

Leaders have been meeting to try and come to an agreement on how best to act as a region, but many of the island nations felt a collective voice was missing.

At the climate change conference in Copenhagen, financial pledges were promised to help those who needed it, and John Key said he's committed to that.

"From New Zealand's point of view we remain committed to the financial contribution we indicated in Copenhagen - $30 million a year, so that's $90 million over three years."

Rather than give cash, New Zealand has promised it will put funds it into regional projects like solar power.

But Niue premier Toke Talagi said low-lying islands haven't seen a cent.

"We're not getting access to finds promised in Copenhagen, so we would like to find out exactly what's happening with respect to that," he said.

Rising sea levels mean many islands will experience crop contamination, and will have to relocate homes.

Kiribati President Anote Tong said climate change is the biggest issue confronting the Pacific and we need to take a regional approach.

"There will be times when the bigger countries will need our support on some issues and just as there will be some times when the smaller countries will need support from the larger countries. It must be a mutual process."

Next year's forum

Meanwhile Prime Minister John Key has announced New Zealand will host next year's Pacific Islands Forum, in September in Auckland.

The event will mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Forum, which held its first Leaders' Meeting in Wellington in 1971.

"Next year's Forum will also coincide with the start of the Rugby World Cup," said Key. "I know the region's leaders are as keen as I am to see New Zealand and Tonga kick off the opening match."

Key said the choice of New Zealand as the venue showed the government's strong commitment to the region.

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