O’Neill to rein in US support

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill will meet United States President Barack Obama this week to harness more support for Pacific Island leaders regarding the effect of climate change on their nations.
O’Neill yesterday chaired a special meeting of the Pacific Islands conference of leaders standing committee in Hawaii, where key issues on the agenda were finalised.
The conference ends tomorrow.
“The number one issue on the minds of Pacific leaders is climate change,” O’Neill said.
“People and communities in the Pacific are in grave danger, and countless lives threatened by extreme weather brought about by climate change. Our leaders are demanding action,” O’Neill said as the chairman of the conference.
“President Obama understands the position of Pacific nations and he made this very clear during my last meeting with him in Paris last December and Apec in November.
“While President Obama is nearing the end of his term, he is still the president and has a great deal of influence in the global community. Climate change is no longer solely a political issue.
“It is now very much a political issue in how we save communities and an economic issue because this carries great cost.
“The economic cost is not the responsibility of the victims but is a cost that has to be met by the countries that caused climate change.
“Pacific Island nations greatly appreciate the support that President Obama extends to our people and we look to furthering these discussions.” He said there was a consensus among Pacific Island leaders at the committee that a regular Pacific dialogue with the United States was of great importance to the region.
“The United States is the largest economy in the world, has important trading and historical links and has a great deal to offer our countries in terms of development, technology and trade,” he said.
“Regardless of who is the (US) president next January and in the term after that, we have to maintain strong and open relations. As well as meeting with President Obama, the leaders will meet with the United States Secretary of the Interior, other elected representatives and Government officials.
“These relations are essential in advancing matters that matter to our people in the Pacific to create jobs and help small business,” he said.
“I will propose that this dialogue between Pacific Island nations is deepened and becomes more regular.”