Readouts
Readout of the Secretary-General's meetings during visit to Republic of Kiribati
Kiribati, 5 September 2011
The Secretary-General, on a visit to the Republic of Kiribati from 4 to 5 September, held talks with H.E. Mr. Anote Tong, the President.
The Secretary-General also met separately with H.E. Mr. Taomati Iuta, the Speaker of Parliament, and H.E. Mr. Rimeta Beniamina, the Leader of the Opposition.
In those meetings, the discussions focused on the challenges and consequences of climate change for Kiribati. The Secretary-General said he would report to world leaders about his direct experience of the effects of climate change and urge them to do more to tackle the phenomenon and deal with its consequences.
The Secretary-General also emphasized the importance he attached to raising the status of women and their empowerment, including through appointing more senior women officials.
The Secretary-General also had a meeting with H.E. The Hon. Amberoti Nikora, Minister of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development.
The Secretary-General met local communities and spoke at length with villagers, including children, about their fears and concerns related to the effects of climate change on their low-lying island existence.
At the end of his visit, the Secretary-General joined President Tong and young islanders to plant mangroves on a beach at Stewart Causeway to help protect the area from the effects of rising water levels. He spoke to reporters about his impressions and his commitment to continue to sound the alarm about climate change.
Tawara, 5 September 2011