Palau President, Tommy Remengesau Junior, addresses the UN General Assembly Photo: UN
Palau has echoed calls for the United Nations to appoint a special representative on climate change.
President Tommy Remengesau made the push during his address at the General Assembly in New York.
Pacific Island Forum leaders have asked the UN Secretary General to create the position to regularly review security threats posed by climate change.
Mr Remengsau said it would address a significant gap in the UN system.
"Building peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies is no longer an aspirational ideal," Mr Remengesau said.
"It is an absolute necessity for addressing the very grave economic, environmental, and humanitarian challenges facing the world."