United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met today with the Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on the margins of the 70th General Debate of the UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting was chaired by the Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea, H.E. Mr. Rimbink Pato.  Papua New Guinea is the current Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.

The Secretary-General emphasised the crucial role of the Pacific in realising the global vision for a sustainable future, specifically on disaster risk reduction, on financing for development and the Sustainable Development Goals.  He stressed that Pacific leaders spoke for the most vulnerable on climate change and that Pacific States played a critical role in building political momentum to resolve outstanding issues.  He committed to continue to press for priority attention to the needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries.

Leaders reaffirmed their support to conclude a meaningful and binding climate agreement at the upcoming Paris Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.  They emphasised the severe impact of climate change on the Pacific countries and called on world leaders to take concerted action on climate change. Pacific countries welcomed the agreement on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and highlighted their relevance to issues of oceans and fisheries, which are of particular pertinence to the Pacific. 

They also discussed women’s empowerment and the need to redouble efforts to improve women’s political participation and economic empowerment and to eliminate violence against women.

The Foreign Minister concluded the meeting emphasising the importance of partnership between Pacific countries and the United Nations as a critical partner, especially in the implementation of the SDGs and on climate change.

A joint statement by the Pacific Islands Forum and the United Nations is expected to be issued soon, building upon the 2011, 2012 and 2014 statements between the two Organisations.