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Climate change and tourism challenges faced by island nations dominated the opening of the 19th Micronesian Chief Executive Summit in Saipan, CNMI.
Leaders representing each respective island country in the Micronesian region shared deep concerns about climate change.
Yap Governor Sebastian Anefal expressed hope that industrialized nations would soon help in funding islands’ adaptation to climate change “before we all sink to the bottom of the ocean.”
Leaders also expressed hope that Guam Governor Eddie Calvo’s appointment to the U.S. Presidential task force on climate preparedness and resilience will be critical in moving the islands’ climate change agenda forward.
Palau President Tommy Remengesau Junior expressed that now is the time for the United States to take a strong stand on climate change and to begin the process of funding adaptation.
Governor Calvo stated that he will bring information from Micronesia on climate change to the task force. In addition to climate change, leaders are also discussing tourism, fisheries and other mutual issues of concern.
The meeting with the theme “With The Sea, We are One” is set to conclude on December 6, 2013.