The UN Special Envoy for Climate Change Mary Robinson says regional groups need to make sure they're working alongside each other if the Pacific is to be heard over climate change.
She has been attending the Pacific Islands Development Forum in Fiji which met ahead of the more established regional body, the Pacific Islands Forum this week.
Mrs Robinson says she's been impressed by the determination and sense of urgency of country, civil society and business leaders over climate change and says the talks must continue at the Forum this week in Port Moresby.
"I believe it would be helpful if the two fora are seen as complementary opportunities and that the two are complementary to each other rather than giving rise to some friction or rift or divisiveness because that would not be helpful."
Mary Robinson says political leadership from the region is needed now at the highest level in the run up to crucial climate change talks in Paris.
Tuvalu suffered tidal surges earlier this year after Cyclone Pam Photo: Supplied