ATTORNEY-GENERAL HON. SIROMI TURAGA AT THE PACIFIC ISLAND SUBMISSIONS TO THE ICJ ADVISORY PROCEEDINGS

Ministers,
Excellencies,
Members of the Diplomatic Core,
Senior Officials,
Colleagues,
ladies, and gentlemen.

Ambassador Odo Tevi, Vanuatu Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Andrew Shepherd, Acting Deputy High Commissioner (Australia)
Hon. Arnold Kiel Loughman, Attorney General of the Republic of Vanuatu
Hon. Muria Gilbert John, Attorney General of the Solomon Islands
Miles Young, Director of the Pacific Community’s Human Rights & Social Development Division

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this unprecedented event for a historic case before the ICJ. We have representation from across the Pacific—sixteen total governments demonstrating the importance of climate justice for the region. It is encouraging to see so many high-level officials dedicated to this worthy cause.

We began this process—spearheaded by Vanuatu and some of the students in this room—with the General Assembly Resolution requesting an advisory opinion of the ICJ on the obligations of States in respect of climate change.

The widespread co-sponsorship of this Resolution, adopted by consensus, signals a strong and unambiguous commitment by nations across the globe to abide by existing climate obligations under international law.

I do not need to reiterate just how critical this case is for our region; without successful, urgent international climate cooperation, we are at the frontlines of some of the worst outcomes possible from the climate crisis.

Where the Pacific goes in relation to addressing the imminent threat of climate change, or lack thereof, is where the rest of the world will follow. If the global community does not stand together to curb the threat of greenhouse gas emissions, small island developing States will bear the brunt of extreme weather events, land loss and degradation, sea level rise, coastal erosion, ocean acidification, etc. We know what this means for our communities—increased displacement of affected persons, threats to food security, water availability, livelihoods and much, much more.

These issues will be discussed in further detail over the course of the next few days. We will need to discuss some harsh realities and growing hot-button issues, but the opportunity that this case brings our region means we must not shy away from demanding climate justice for all.

We all have a commitment to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and exploring its connections human rights, culture, and faith-based values for the Pacific. What better way than this ICJ Advisory Opinion to make known just how important the fate of our nations are to climate justice outcomes?
Addressing Climate Change is the challenge of our lifetime and Pacific communities are at the centre of this crisis. It is increasingly recognized as an urgent human rights issue, and we can continue to make those connections clear with the work that will happen in this room this week.

In Fiji, we committed to moving the Pacific forward in this regard, including the relevant principles and obligations through customary international law and creative use of human rights law to protect the most vulnerable of communities.

May these next three-days be a successful learning exchange between Pacific governments, experts, and development partners to begin the process of drafting submissions to the ICJ and continuing to lead the fight for climate justice.