Small Pacific island states

The ACP Secretariat is offering projects from a funding pool of over $US4.4 billion for its member states.

This was confirmed by the ACP's Assistant Secretary-General, Viwanou Gnassounou, who was in Apia last week to launch the ACP Fisheries Ministers meeting.

Mr Gnassounou told the Samoa Observer the projects include private sector developments, climate change resilience, trade, as well as natural disaster monitoring and prevention.

The European Union's climate change commissioner is confident the world won't ignore the plight of tiny Pacific island countries at risk of disappearing under rising seas.

Miguel Canete told reporters at the Pacific Island Forum in Port Moresby on Tuesday that while countries such as Kiribati and the Marshall Islands were small, their voices were loud on the world stage.

“They are very active negotiators and they have a solid case... when you have commitment and passion your voice is heard,” he said.