THE Pacific needs international climate negotiators to see the impacts of climate change first-hand, says Rural and Maritime Development Minister Mosese Bulitavu.
Mr Bulitavu said this was better than hearing island leaders negotiating at international forums.
“Pacific countries have repeatedly highlighted our vulnerability at international climate meetings, but the time had come for the international community to visit affected communities,” he said.
He said climate finance remained one of the biggest challenges for Pacific island countries.
“We are always voicing our vulnerability at those international stages.
“I think it is now time for the world to come to the Pacific, see first-hand and experience what we have been telling them.”
He said negotiators should visit communities such as Nabavatu and Vunidogoloa that had experienced the effects of sea-level rise.
“Visiting affected communities will allow negotiators to understand why climate change was a matter of survival for Pacific people.”
He said the experiences of villagers should be carried into international negotiations.
He said negotiators should not only come to Suva but also visit communities experiencing the impacts of climate change.
He urged Pacific representatives to negotiate strongly for their communities during the upcoming international climate discussions.
