Pacific islands get cash to fight global warming
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged US$453 million in aid to Pacific island nations to help them combat climate change and natural disasters.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday pledged US$453 million in aid to Pacific island nations to help them combat climate change and natural disasters.
Abe made the pledge as leaders of 14 Pacific island countries gathered for a two-day meeting, which began on Friday in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, to discuss their development needs.
"As a pledge of the Japanese government, we will provide no less than 55 billion yen [HK$3.5 billion] to you in the upcoming three years in order to foster resilient capabilities that will not be defeated by climate change or disasters," Abe said.
The seventh round of Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting came as host Japan attempts to boost its profile in the Pacific at a time of growing Chinese economic and political influence in the region.
The meeting, held every three years, was also attended by senior officials from other regional powers, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the United States.
Pacific island leaders have long complained about rising sea levels eroding their coastlines and of the increasing severity and frequency of extreme climate phenomena, such as super-typhoons, probably caused by global warming.
They have pushed developed nations, responsible for the much of the emissions associated with global warming, to extend help to cope with damage brought by harsh climate patterns.
Vanuatu was hit in March by Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam, which killed 11 people when sustained winds of more than 250 km/h tore through the country, affecting about 166,600 inhabitants. Japan pledged up to US$500 million spread over three years at the same meeting in 2012, focused on damage mitigation efforts.
