Australian Prime Minister credit Mok Suisse. (Morrison Twitter Photo)
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum (Pacific Islands Forum) submitted to Australia a draft regional agreement entitled "Bicktawar additional Declaration (Biketawa Plus,"). The (Scott Morrison) government is urged to sign and promise to support the Paris climate agreement, recognizing that climate change is "one of the greatest threats to people`s livelihood, security and well-being" in the region.
On the other hand, conservative lawmakers also pressured Mr Mosuisse to downplay or renounce Australia`s emissions-reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement.
After last week`s leadership crisis, Credit Mosuisse decided not to attend a meeting of regional leaders in (Nauru), Nauru, arranged by former Prime Minister Tembo (Malcolm Turnbull), to be represented by Foreign Minister Payne (Marise Payne).
The Biktawa Declaration covers a range of issues, including crime, humanitarian assistance, the environment and so on, supported by Australia in recent rounds of negotiations.
The Declaration has been seen as a move by Australia to strengthen ties with Pacific island countries to counter China`s influence in the region, and the Pacific island countries also hope to promote Australia`s recognition of the threat of climate change. The low-lying areas of the area are vulnerable to sea-level rise.
Prike (Jonathan Pryke), director of the Roy Institute`s (Lowy Institute) Pacific Islands program, said Mr Morrison`s past treatment of environmental concerns was worrisome, and Pacific island nations called on Australia to demonstrate its clear commitment to climate change action.
