This was raised by the leader of the Pacific Island nation, President Anote Tong, when he addressed the G77 High-Level Panel meeting at Natadola this morning.
“Thank you Mr Chairman for inviting me because as you know, Kiribati is not a member of the G77. However I have spoken to the G77 Executive Secretariat and before we leave this meeting you will receive our letter requesting membership of the G77", President Tong told Fijian Prime Minister and Chair of the G77, Voreqe Bainimarama.
Highlighting the need for Pacific Island nations to play their full part in international issues, including those relating to sustainable development, President Tong said we must bring balance when addressing development.
“We hope we can thereby have the opportunity to give wider voice to our needs and concerns, particularly in terms of South-South cooperation”, President Tong said.
“We believe that it’s important when we look at development, we must always try to achieve a sense of balance between economic growth, social developments and the environment, so that no sector of the community is marginalised. We must always take into consideration environment concerns”.
Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson, said as a member of the Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS), Kiribati would be a most welcome part of the G77 membership.
He said, “The G77 is the most appropriate international grouping for countries such as Fiji, Kiribati and other PSIDS to advance the development of their economic agendas in the global context”.
Meanwhile, strengthening South-South cooperation between members of the G77 and China group was the key focus of discussions by the members of the G77 High-level Panel meet.
Held behind closed doors, Tuesday’s session saw leaders expressing their desire to work together towards pushing the needs and challenges of developing countries.
Bolivia’s President Evo Morales highlighted the need to adopt economic models that put the plight of ordinary citizens at the forefront.
President Morales said that basic services such as water, power, and telecommunication are basic human rights. He said Bolivia wanted to work in solidarity with the South.
His statements were echoed by his Kiribati counterpart, President Anote Tong who also urged for a balance in future developments including environmental concerns.
President Tong also highlighted the need to address over-exploitation of tuna reserves in Pacific waters and solidarity amongst Pacific Islands Small Developing States (PSIDS) to ensure they gain higher economic returns from tuna sales.
Other panel members emphasized the need for a stronger stand on global challenges that affected them directly.
Vanuatu Prime Minister Moana Kalosil spoke on the inequities of climate change. His Solomon Islands counterpart Gordon Darcy Lilo said participants should use the meeting to make the South-South Cooperation a force in the economic development of the South.
http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/fiji/1105/kiribati-president-express-interest-in-joining-g77/
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