Cook Islands message to the world at COP21

We may be a small country but we believe in big actions, We did not cause the problems of today, but we want to be part of the solutions," said the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Henry Puna at the UN summit on climate change in Paris.

Over 150 leaders from across the globe met in Paris, France to demonstrate their support to save the Planet through a new climate change agreement. The form of this is to be finalised by the end of the two weeks of negotiations. The Cook Islands are uniting with the Alliance of Small Island States and are calling for a legally binding agreement that limits global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

"We need action now. Action that needs new, additional, predictable and accessible finance. Action that needs to address loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change. Action that allows us all to adapt to the consequences of this threat. We need action now."

The Cook Islands have indicated their spirit of solidarity and resilience through their actions. With the help of development partners the island nation has converted 50% of their islands to renewable energy with plans to complete this conversion 100% by 2020.

"We have designated our entire 2.2 million square kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zone as a marine park, for the benefit of not only our people, but as our contribution for all of mankind, through our share of the Pacific Ocean carbon sink."

"We aspire to do more as we have outlined in our submitted INDC." (Intended Nationally Determined Contribution)

The leader of the Cook Islands ended his statement to the world with an impassioned plea, calling for all to win the battle against climate change in solidarity and united as a global family.

"We cannot delay. We must not delay. The time for action is now." - #4PacIslands

     

Author: 
SPREP