At the initiative of SPC, Pacific Island leaders gathered in New Caledonia to discuss critical challenges linked to climate change with the President of the Republic of France, M. François Hollande, French Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development, M. Laurent Fabius, Minister for Overseas Territories, Mme George Pau-Langevin, and the President’s Special Envoy for the Protection of the Planet, M. Nicolas Hulot.
The High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change, hosted by SPC at its headquarters, has given Pacific leaders a platform to move the agenda forward on the serious climate change challenge for the region and its real impact on the lives of Pacific Island people.
Leaders discussed the profound effect of climate change and related extreme weather events on fragile Pacific economies, on people’s livelihoods and on their access to food and water.
The event occurred nearly one year before France hosts the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris, where a new, universal climate agreement is due to be adopted.
SPC and climate change
The High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change was convened by SPC following an invitation extended to President Hollande and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development on behalf of the Pacific Community by SPC Director-General, Colin Tukuitonga, during his European visit.
Recognised for its world-class scientific and technical expertise, SPC has a comprehensive programme to help Pacific Island countries and territories respond to the risks and impacts of climate variability and climate change.
Development partners – Agence Française de Développement, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and European Union ‒ and representatives of Pacific regional organisations including the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, were also invited to attend.
Vulnerability of Tropical Pacific Fisheries and Aquaculture to Climate Change
This book presents a comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability of tropical Pacific fisheries and aquaculture to climate change. [Read more or download the book]