SYDNEY, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato re-emphasized his support for Pacific regionalism regarding climate change on Friday, as expressed at last week's Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) foreign ministers' meeting.
When foreign ministers met last week in Samoa they agreed that "Blue Pacific" countries should put forward a collective vision for climate change, ocean conservation, security and economic development.
The meeting of PIF foreign ministers precedes next month's meeting of PIF leaders, which carries the theme of "Building a Strong Pacific: Our People, Our Islands, Our Will."
"This theme emphasises the determination of the Blue Pacific countries to act together to protect the Pacific Ocean, which is a priceless treasure for all humanity, and to work for the economic and social development of our peoples," Pato said.
According to Pato, Pacific regionalism was at the heart of the proceedings, and it was agreed that a collective effort is required to achieve results on a number of key issues.
"As well as climate change, security and economic development we tackled other important issues such as fisheries surveillance, maritime boundaries and connectivity," he said.
The 49th PIF leaders meeting will be held in Nauru on Sept. 3-6.
