In a declaration on climate change issued following their two-day meeting held in Niue, the leaders expressed concern by the serious current impacts of and growing threat posed by climate change to the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being and security of the Pacific Island countries.
"It was very important for the Pacific Islands countries to issue a declaration on climate change," said Niue Premier Toke Talagi, the current Forum chair, following the meeting.
Climate change was on top of the agenda of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting which started on Tuesday.
"Despite being amongst the lowest contributors to factors causing climate change, the Pacific Islands region is one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change including its exacerbation of climate variability, sea level rise and extreme weather events," said the Niue Declaration on Climate Change.
Despite their low greenhouse gas emission, the Pacific Island countries were taking significant steps toward reducing their reliance on fossil fuel, with its detrimental economic and environmental consequences, it added.
The forum members leaders also called for urgent action by the world's major greenhouse gas emitting countries to set targets and make commitments to significantly reduce their emissions, and to support the most vulnerable countries to adapt to and address the impacts of climate change.
The forum leaders called on international partners to assist their development by undertaking immediate and effective measures to reduce emissions, use cleaner fuels, and increase use of renewable energy sources.
The leaders also encouraged all Pacific Island countries, with the assistance of development partners, to continue to address the impacts of climate change through 'no regrets' or 'low regrets' actions in affected sectors.
They stressed the importance of cooperating toward the establishment of an effective post-2012 framework in which all major economies will participate in a responsible manner, said the declaration.
