An unhealthy life-style in the Small Island States of the Pacific is a problem of the greatest concern to SIS leaders, the Prime Minister of Niue, Mr Young Vivian, told a Press Conference in Nuku'alofa this afternoon.

Young Vivian said that health issues such as HIV Aids, the Bird Flu and non-communicable diseases were all matters of concern, but an unhealthy life-style was a matter of great concern. He even mentioned the possibility in Niue of "paying smokers $2000 to stop smoking".

The re-elected Chairman of the SIS, the President of the Republic of Nauru, Hon. Ludwig Scotty, said that the deliberation of the SIS leaders this morning recognized energy as the driver of economic growth, with a significant bearing on education, environment, health and social welfare.

Energy policies

In a statement today, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat noted that the summit "supported prioritised national energy policies and action plans that are integrated with national strategic development plans."

"While non-fossil solutions are relatively expensive for the Pacific to develop and implement on its own, they are viable and critical, particularly for the SIS which face particular hardships as a result of climate change and sea level rise."

They requested development partners to improve the access by Pacific Island Countries to and affordability of appropriate technology for non-fossil energy.

The island countries who are membeers of the Small Island Sates are Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu.