Story and photos by Linny Folau

Pacific Islands leaders were united in their call for Japan to continue its leadership and efforts in tackling the issues of Water and Sanitation, during a Pacific Islands Leaders Roundtable Meeting on Water and Sanitation in Tokyo today, May 20.

Attended by leaders from 10 Pacific Islands Forum countries including Tongan Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele the roundtable followed up on the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit held in 2007 in Beppu, Japan, which recognized the people's right to safe drinking water and basic sanitation as a basic human right and a fundamental aspect of human security.

And it also called to reduce half of the number of people who do not have access to safe drinking water by 2015.

The roundtable which preceded the Fifth Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting PALM 5 that begins in Hokkaido on May 22-23 provided a platform for leaders to discuss challenges and pressing issues faced by Pacific Island countries in terms of its water and sanitation accessibility, allocation, quality and management.

Pacific development challenges

The President of the Asia Pacific Water Forum and President of Japan Water Forum Mr Yoshiro Mori, a former Prime Minister of Japan, in his opening address highlighted the fact that Pacific Island countries face several development challenges such as limited land space, eroding coastlines, rising sea level, climate change and geographically a high risk to natural disasters, such as cyclones that threaten the lives of its people.

He said in the 1st Asia Pacific Water Summit in December, 2007 it gave worldwide attention to the issue of water and sanitation and in wider range prompted awareness on the importance of water for national security.

"I hope that the Japanese Government the largest donor in water and sanitation continues to support efforts to tackle water issues in the region. And this meeting is designed as a platform for regional leaders to strengthen their efforts in addressing the issue of water and sanitation.

"It also serves as a good opportunity for leaders to put in place strong determined actions to solve issues of water and sanitation," he said.

The roundtable, which was attended by the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Japan Ms Seiko Hashimoto, pledged that the result of the roundtable will be reflected during the PALM 5 meeting.

Tongan PM

The Tongan Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele, during the leaders' roundtable reports, said that given the small and fragile nature of the Pacific islands he was grateful to Japan in providing assistance in water and sanitation.

"Tonga in particular has been assisted by Japan in the establishment of village water supplies."

He highlighted that the issue of water and sanitation becomes more urgent and demanding the attention of all, given the deep impact resulting from climate change and other vulnerabilities faced by islands.

"Mr President I have been watching the leadership role that you and the Government of Japan play on this issue and I ask if you could continue to lead us.

"Given your background in the rugby field as a fly half it is very prudent to note that it is the role of the fly half to direct the whole team and the 14 of us in the Pacific Islands Forum make up the rest of the team. We ask that you and the Government of Japan please continue in its role of assisting our members," Dr Sevele said.

Rugby

He said the other thing to note, particularly for some islands who are among the top 16 rugby nations in the world, "this is also an area where we also like you to be our leader.

"We are in the top 16 rugby nations in the world yet we have no vote in the International Rugby Union. And I believe Japan might be in the same position and I think it is important we take note of this so we ask you to be our leader on this too."

He also submitted to him to consider visiting the South Pacific as it is important for him to see the result of the work that Japan has assisted in.

Invitation from Tonga

"Another desire is that many of our people in remote islands would like to say thank you personally for the assistance and the leadership that you have given us, so on behalf of the Government of Tonga I formally invite you to Tonga next year and in the following year we can go together to watch the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand," Dr Sevele said.

The Pacific Islands Leaders Roundtable Meeting was held at the World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Centre prior to the Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting in Hokkaido this weekend.

It was attended by 10 Pacific Island Leaders, including the Prime Minister of Niue HE Mr Toke Talagi, the President of the Republic of Kiribati Mr Anote Tong, the President of the Federated States of Micronesia HE Mr Emanuel Mori, the President of Nauru HE Mr Marcus Stephen, the President of the Marshall Islands HE Mr Litokwa Tomeing, Palau President HE Mr Johnson Toribiong, Samoan Prime Minister HE Mr Tuilaepa Malielegaoi, Solomon Prime Minister HE Mr Derek Sikua, Fiji Ambassador in Japan HE Mr Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, and HE Mr Gabriel Kapris PNG Minister for Commerce and Industry.