Pacific Islands win UN climate change recognition

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Pacific atolls are at risk from rising sea levels. [ABC]

Last Updated: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 07:59:00 +1000

Pacific islands vulnerable to rising sea levels have won a symbolic victory at the United Nations, with a resolution recognising climate change as a possible threat to security.

The non-binding resolution, passed by the General Assembly, may help put climate change on the agenda of the more powerful UN Security Council.

Nauru's ambassador to the UN, Marlene Moses, spoke on behalf of the developing Pacific nations.

She said some countries are already experiencing the submerging of islands, inundation of coastal areas, and a loss of fresh water supplies.

The resolution, agreed after months of bargaining, stated the 192-member General Assembly was "deeply concerned that the adverse impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, could have security implications".

The resolution also asked UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to submit a report on the security problems climate change could cause.

Meanwhile climate change negotiators from 181 governments meet in Bonn, Germany for talks on a new UN climate treaty due to be discussed in Copenhagen in December.