When it comes to the issue of climate change Fiji has said the world does not really care about the Pacific and Australia is “selfish”.
The country’s interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama accused the global community of abandoning Pacific island nations to “sink below the waves” instead of tackling climate change.
The French newsagency AFP reports that opening a regional summit, he singled out “selfish” Australia for criticism.
Rear Admiral Bainimarama said there is “collective disappointment and dismay” in the Pacific at the failure of the world to address climate change.
“The rising sea levels caused by global warming threaten the very existence of some of our neighbours, Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands,” he told the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF).
“They are already swamping the coastal areas of many Pacific nations, including Fiji.
“Yet if anything, the collective will of the global community to adequately address this crisis is receding.”
Indonesia’s president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who has had strained relations with Australia’s conservative Liberal-National government since it came to office late last year, was guest of honour at the summit.
He pledged US$20 million to help Pacific island states combat climate change, in a bid to boost the “green economy” in the region.
AFP reports Rear Admiral Bainimarama said there had been “a distinct change of rhetoric” from Australia on climate change since conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbott was elected last year.
Earlier this month, Mr Abbott said he would not adopt any climate policies that would “clobber the economy”.
“I appeal to Australia and other countries not to behave selfishly over the catastrophic prospect facing small island developing states,” Rear Admiral Bainimarama said.
“History will judge you harshly if you abandon us to our apparent fate of sinking below the waves because you don’t want to make the necessary adjustment to your domestic policies.”
President Yudhoyono said climate change was among the greatest challenges facing the world and announced Indonesia was allocating US$20 million to help minimise its impact in the Pacific.
“Indonesia has a strong commitment to broaden its network of cooperation with PIDF countries in mitigating the impact of climate change,” he said.
President Yudhoyono also said he wanted two-way trade between Indonesia and Pacific island nations to triple to US$1 billion in coming years
