Small Island States

Participants were also able to take stock of progress made towards some of the important frameworks that the small island states are a party to, namely the SAMOA Pathway and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Samoa’s Minister of Finance Sili Epa Tuioti opened an international conference in Apia saying it allows small states to reflect on important disaster risk reduction concerns, including an opportunity to take stock of progress towards some of the important frameworks we are party to, namely the SAMOA Pathway and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The proposed Carmichael mine in central Queensland would become the country's largest mine, and is supported by both the Queensland and Australian governments.

But there is opposition from indigenous and environmental groups, who say it would have devastating environmental consequences, including for the fragile Great Barrier Reef.

The co-ordinator of the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, Krishneil Narayan, said his organisation was joining the opposition because it would affect the Pacific, too.

As the meeting got underway, Prime Minister of Cook Islands and Chair of the Smaller Island States (SIS), the Honourable Henry Puna said “In the true Pacific Way, we wholeheartedly agreed to support and welcome FSM into the SIS family.”

President of the Federated States of Micronesia, H.E Peter Christian was then led into the Chamber by the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor.