The Marshall Islands and New Zealand have been given front-row seats at at US Leaders Summit on Climate Change which opens overnight.
President David Kabua and Jacinda Ardern were invited by the American leader Joe Biden ahead of other Pacific island countries.
To mark International Earth Day this year, President Biden has summoned 40 world leaders and is calling for a united front in addressing the climate crisis.
Christine Rovoi reports.
Listen
Joe Biden speaks about the urgent need to address climate change Photo: AFP