THE ongoing fuel crisis has prompted Pacific leaders to look more closely at strengthening renewable energy solutions across the region.
Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General Baron Waqa said the issue was discussed by Pacific Foreign Ministers as leaders considered ways to strengthen the region’s response to the ongoing repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East.
Mr Waqa said the fuel crisis was one of the priority areas being addressed through the regional response mechanism established by Pacific leaders through the Troika (a pacific leadership group that provides strategic guidance and maintains regional continuity between annual summits).
“I think what is important to understand is that this crisis, we have no control over, all right, the effects of it,” he said.
“So, what we can only do for ourselves is making sure that we help each other and arrive at a way of addressing.”
Mr Waqa said the effects of the crisis extended beyond fuel prices, affecting transportation costs, inflation, the cost of goods and the ability of people to afford their livelihoods.
Mr Waqa said Pacific leaders were also considering renewable energy as part of the region’s response.
“Also, as the Pacific is a leader in climate change and addressing issues regarding climate change, and one of them is renewable energy.”
