The Marshall Island foreign minister, John Silk, says his country is already facing major pressures as the result of climate change.
He's told a conference of Pacific cabinet ministers at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in Noumea that the theme of their meeting is dear to the Marshalls.
"The 7th Conference of the Pacific Community is focussing on Climate change and food security: Managing risks for sustainable development ."
Mr Silk, who is chairing the meeting, says the Marshalls already faces a wide range of pressures and constraints to achieving long-term sustainable development, due to the threats posed by climate change.
He says its shores are shifting, soil salinity is worsening, while marine resources and fish stocks are changing.
Mr Silk says this puts extreme pressure on the livelihoods of the Marshallese people, particularly where food and water security are concerned.
He says it's timely that as a region, they are discusssing the threats of climate change to food and water security.
