SUVA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Fiji and the Pacific are deeply disappointed that U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn the United States from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, said Fijian acting Prime Minister Biman Prasad.
He said the Prime Ministers of Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea have asked the U.S. president to reconsider this decision.
Prasad made the remarks via video during his address at the Climate Justice and Loss and Damage in the Pacific Conference held at the University of Sydney in Australia, the Fiji government Wednesday said on its official website.
Prasad said Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka took the Pacific's message directly to the White House last week and is urging the U.S. to reconsider this decision.
Prasad said he has deep faith in U.S. scientists who can tell the world in unanimity that human-induced climate change is the greatest threat our planet faces, adding that the Pacific Islands perspective on climate change is clear.
"Climate change will remain the greatest challenge to the peace, security and well-being of Pacific Islanders. This perspective will not change because of elections in the U.S. or anywhere else," Prasad said.
He stressed that a withdrawal from the Paris Agreement does not absolve the U. S. of its historical responsibilities and the climate debt that the U.S. owes Pacific Islanders is held in trust. ■
