Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre right) receives the “Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership” from Christopher J. Loeak (centre left), President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in the presence of Members of the Pacific Islands Forum. The declaration, signed in the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro, reaffirms Pacific leaders’ commitment to tackling climate change. UN Photos.

Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon has invited Pacific Island Forum leaders to a Climate Summit he will host in September 2014.

In a welcome address at the United Nations in New York on 27 September, Ban Ki-moon congratulated the Pacific Island Forum Leaders for their adoption of the Majuro Declaration on Climate Leadership, making them Climate Leaders.

"I commend your resolve to be Climate Leaders and your commitment to act – and I join you in your call to others.

"Together, we must all work to raise political will and action for an ambitious, global, legal agreement that sets the world on a less than 2-degree Celsius path," he said.

He reminded Pacific leaders, that Pacific Islands are among those that contribute least to global warming, "yet suffer most," and invited the leaders to his Climate Summit in 2014.

Small islands developing states

Ban Ki-moon was grateful to Samoa for agreeing to host the International Conference on Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) in September 2014. The Samoa conference will address the needs of (SIDS) and the Post 2015 Millenium Development Goal to eliminate Extreme Poverty.

During the UN 68^th General Assembly Pacific Islands Leaders presented the Secretary General with the Majuro Declaration on Climate Leadership and a proposal for the establishment of a Pacific Regional Data Repository (PRDR) for Sustainable Energy for all. The PRDR is to focus on all energy related projects, reflecting best practices as well as those that have not been so successful.

Pacific Leaders who spoke at the General Assembly, highlighted national and regional concerns.

HM King Tupou VI

Tonga's King Tupou VI on 27 September highlighted in his speech, that energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity, and an environment that allows the world to thrive.

He emphasized that "Sustainable Energy is central in order to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

"A shift towards more sustainable energy sources is also essential  in addressing environmental sustainability, whilst tackling Climate Change Challenges."

He thought that the theme of this year's 68^th General Assembly General Debate "The Post-2015 Development Agenda: Setting the Stage" was timely. He said that Tonga joined other SIDS in affirming that priorities in the outline of the Post-2015 Development Agenda should, with increased cooperation among UN Member States, be shaped on the outcome of the 2014 Third International Conference on SIDS that will be convened in Samoa.

Deputy Prime Minister of Tuvalu Vete Palakua Sakaio

The Deputy Prime Minister of Tuvalu Vete Palakua Sakaio told the General Assembly on 28 September that "Climate change is no longer an environmental or political issue. …It is a borderless human security issue. Everybody must ac to urgently reduce Greenhouse Gas GHG emissions and provide adaptation."

Deputy Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands,  Manasseh Maelanga 

The Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga of the Solomon Islands called for a new spirit of partnership to reform the global economic architecture. "Climate change remains a global issue that needs a global solution.

"We join all SIDS and LDCs in conveying our concern on the slow progress of climate change negotiatins. The alarming pace of climate change is posing unprecedented threats to humanity's survival."

Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Leo Dion

Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion of Papua New Guinea called for SIDS to remain a special case for sustainable development as the UN draws up a post-2015 blueprint for long-term sustainable development for the decades following the end of the current millennium Development Goals cycle.

"The adverse impacts of climate change continue to be of serious concern to the global community but especially for small island developing states," said Leo Dion.

President of Kiribati Anote Tong

The President of Kiribati Anote Tong called for immediate international action to mitigate climate change and rising sea levels.

"We are disastrously off course. The scientists tell us that calamity awaits – and not just for those of us on low-lying islands," he said. "What we are experiencing now on these low-lying atolls is an early warning of what will happen further down the line. No one will be spared. We cannot continue to abuse our planet in this way.

"We need commitment. And we need action …now," he declared.

"All those countries with the ability to do so must contribute to the prevention of this calamity, or be forever judged by history."

Fijian Prime Minister Josaia V. Bainimarama

Fijian Prime Minister Josaia V. Bainimarama said an international conference next year in Samoa on the sustainable development of SIDS is a critical opportunity for the international community to renew its commitments.

"Our response to the plight of those most at risk must therefore be characterized by a requisite sense of urgency," said Josaia Bainimarama.

President of Palau, Tommy Remengesau

The president of Palau Tommy Remengesau told the General Assembly, "When I was a child, my back yard did not float – and we did not have tropical storm after tropical storm pass through our Pacific Islands. It is therefore clear to me and other Pacific leaders that the full moon and the ocean are no loner metaphors for balance and harmony. Today they represent imbalance – from our past excesses."

The President of the Federated States of Micronesia, Emanuel Mori underlined the impossibility of separating development and the environment, nothing that no country can develop its economy without degrading its natural environment to some significant degree.

"Climate change is without question, the gravest threat to my people's welfare, livelihoods, and general security. It is the survival issue of our time. Our sustainable development is threatened by the harmful effects of excessive greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, effects which poison our root crops, destroy our reef systems, and drive many of our people from their ancestral homes.

"All of us, developed and developing countries, have a stake in finding ways that minimize manmade damage to Mother Earth. Only the international community can effectively take up this cause," he said, insisting that the comprehensive climate change treaty to be adopted in 2015 must impose legally binding commitments.