The need for working together is essential for the betterment of Pacific Islands.

Speaking at the closing of the International Conference of Oceans and Rivers the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Enele Sosene Sopoaga, said Tuvalu would work together with any Pacific country for the betterment of those who are vulnerable to climate change.

The two-day event, together with the International Food Festival, was held at the Fiji National University Namaka campus in Nadi.

The Tuvalu leader said: “We need to collaborate more closely through our regional bodies, to make sure that we don’t compete with each other but rather work together to facilitate easy access for all other countries.

“This is important because of the benefits of those in the Pacific countries who are most vulnerable to climate change,” he said.

He said Tuvalu would stand firm in its fight against climate change and would not be moving away.

“For Tuvalu I can assure you that we will not move away from our Island, yes I can tell you that Tuvalu is on a critical level but we are not going to run away.

“In the fight against climate change Tuvalu will never give up because we are dealing here with the rights of people to live and survive,” Mr Sopoaga said.

He said the event was timely and he looked forward to addressing issues on climate change at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December, 2015 in Paris.

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