Marape call on top economies to compensate Pacific Island nations for carbon emissions

Prime Minister Marape on Tuesday this week made a strong statement on climate change in his official speech at the Pacific Island Forum [PIF] Leaders dialogue in Nuku’Alofa.

Addressing the Pacific Leaders, Prime Minister Marape acknowledged the United Nations' unwavering commitment to supporting Pacific nations in their fight against climate change.

Marape told the Leaders and the UN Secretary General present for the dialogue that Pacific nations must be compensated well by developed nations and carbon footprint holders for their forests and carbon sinks.

Marape proposes that the natural carbon cleaning resources of the Pacific nations be utilized to assist debt relief and generate economic gains for Pacific economies.

He said big carbon footprint holders need to adequately compensate pacific nations for their forest and ocean carbon sinks.

Marape further commended Australia, a G20 economy in the region that is playing an active part as a climate resistance partner.

He urges others, especially the world's top three economies and significant carbon footprint holders, to support the Pacific Islands Forum through clean energy options, land reclamation, which can grow pacific economies from their own resources such as marine resources

Marape stressed the importance of sharing resources such as fisheries within the region among themselves.

He said the fisheries sector at present is underdeveloped and needs more investment which will promote economic empowerment for Pacific nations, especially the smaller countries.

In addition to climate action, Marape emphasizes the importance of regional cooperation, trade agreements, investment, and cultural exchanges to enhance the Pacific collective resilience.

He reaffirmed Papua New Guinea's commitment to the Pacific Islands Forum and the region's prosperity.