A coalition of civil societies is calling on Pacific Island Forum leaders to adopt a united front against climate change.
The Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, or PICAN, has submitted a 'Moresby Declaration' to the Forum Secretariat ahead of the leaders' meeting in September.
The declaration calls for members to commit and to call on world leaders to ensure the limit of global warming stays at 1 and a half degrees celsius.
PICAN also wants additional funding to assist adaptation to climate change, to trigger a loss and damage mechanism, to reduce emissions and to support the resettlement of displaced people.
PICAN convenor Shirley Laban says the declaration is important ahead of the UN World Climate Summit in Paris.
"Negotiations in Paris at the end of this year is very critical in terms of the new agreement beyond 2020. It's important while we are already having some collective voices we must throw together more stronger voices. For us in the Pacific region it's a matter of survival for us."
Photo: Kiribati Ministry of Health