Kiribati President Anote Tong

SPREP Pacific Champion on Climate Change - President Anote Tong

President Tong was recognised at a special dinner hosted by Victoria University of Wellington, as part of the university's "In the Eye of the Storm: Pacific Climate Change Conference 2016".

President Tong delivered the opening keynote address at the special post-COP21 Pacific Climate Change Conference, which opened in Wellington on Monday.

The Director General of SPREP Kosi Latu is at the Pacific Climate Change Conference, where he will present on the next steps post-COP21 for the Pacific region.

Kiribati's Anote Tong to bow out of politics

Tong was first elected president by his parliamentary colleagues in 2003 and has now completed the three allowed four year terms.

Kiribati goes to the polls next week with other three former presidents, Ieremia Tabai, Teatao Teannaki and Teburoro Tito standing among more than 130 candidates.

     

Australia may be asked to leave group unless action taken on climate change

Kiribati president Anote Tong warned people in the region would have to flee in waves similar to the current migrant crisis in Europe unless stronger action was taken to reduce emissions.

"I think it would be incumbent on them because how relevant [would] their presence be," he said.

"We expect them as a our big brothers, not bad brothers, our big brothers to support us on this one."

Australia and New Zealand are the two most economically powerful members of the PIF, which is meeting this week in Port Moresby.

Leaders resolve not to move

The panel was made up of the Kiribati President Anote Tong, Prime Minister of Tonga Samiuela Akilisi Pohiva, Tuvalu PM Enele Sopoaga and President of Federated States of Marshall Islands  Christopher Loeak.

Pohiva asked why should they migrate.

He put forward three questions:

–         Where will they move?

–           How are they going to move?

–           Who will move them?

President Tong said moving was the last resort.