Mona Ainu'u - Broadcasting Corporation of Niue
23 May 2011, Apia, Samoa - The start of the "Lessons for Future Action Conference" in Apia today heightened the urgency to address issues of climate change adaptation and future decisions affecting Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The threat of natural disasters is becoming increasingly clear both in terms of their impact on SIDS, and of their personal vulnerability. A strong message during the opening ceremony was the need for immediate action, in cooperation with others, as we cannot do it alone.
The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, 
opened today's conference calling upon participants to share the lessons learnt so we can strategise for a better future in the face of climate change.
"What is needed now in the pacific and elsewhere is more climate change project implementation, and this is the single most important action for the future, I will urge you therefore as stakeholders of climate change and disaster risk management to share the lessons learned to date".
The issue of partnership was echoed by Mr. David Sheppard, Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). He shared SPREP's continuing focus of strengthening partnerships and the critical need to work together without competition or duplication.
"We have limited resources and capacity, so let's work together and better utilize resources and avenues that have been established-both within and between our regions".
"While there are differences between and within regions in terms of size, capacity, levels of development and geography, I have always been impressed by the level of solidarity and cooperation that exist between small island states. This is exemplified by the work of the Alliance of Small Island States, AOSIS".
The Prime Minister of Samoa also reiterated the support the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) needs from the international audience.
"One of the biggest challenges as you all know has been to get the voice of Alliance of Small Islands States member countries heard. We collectively want a 45 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 based on 1990 levels. I think we may now have the man power and the skills to fund the determination and the technological means to achieve this".
James Bartley, Deputy Director General of AUSAID acknowledged the importance of productive means to assist the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
"The issue is not simply one of the amount of resources available to address climate change around the world, there's a real issue of how effectively those resources are used most efficiently, most productively and indeed in ways that are not counterproductive".
Over the next four days participants will deliberate over a range of different issues including capacity development, strategies and on-ground options, community based responses to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction as well as information and awareness raising. By sharing the lessons learnt in these areas during panel discussions and presentations, it is hoped a path forward will be forged.
The meeting is a partnership between the Australia Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency AusAid and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). It is hosted in Samoa from 23 to 25 May.
Related link: Climate Pasifika blog