BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (ICJ-AO) will empower Pacific voices by providing a platform for Pacific Island countries to assert their rights and interests in international climate obligations.
Chair of the Small Island State (SIS) President of Kiribati HE President Taneti Maamau said this during the session ‘Understanding the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Climate Change’ at Aquatic Centre yesterday on the margins of this year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders meeting.
President Maamau said that the ICJ Advisory Opinion is a milestone and a great achievement for the global family, especially those facing the dire consequences of climate change.
“And mostly in our part of the world, the Pacific region,” he said.
He was responding on what ways can the ICJ Advisory Opinion be leveraged to enhance accountability and drive concrete action at national, regional, and multilateral levels during a penal discussion.
He said that the outcome of the ICJ verdict is very fundamental, as it helps to clarify the state obligations and legal consequences that small island countries can face.
He further adds that the ICJ also has provided the avenue which helps the region to validate their climate concerns.
“Especially to recognize the catastrophic threat posed by climate change to our sovereignty, territorial rights, and human integrity,” Maamau said.
He said that the decision itself also sets a very good precedent by establishing a framework for holding states accountable for greenhouse gas emissions and the climate impacts on vulnerable nations like the rest of the pacific region.
“And in that regard, I would like to, on behalf of my country and the Pacific region, thank the government and the people of Vanuatu for taking such a very ambitious initiative together with our youth community throughout the Pacific,” he said.
