19 Sep 2012

Climate change on royal couple's Tuvalu agenda

4:30 am on 19 September 2012

Climate change is one of the first items on the agenda of Prince William and his wife Catherine, following their arrival in one of the countries most affected by rising sea levels, Tuvalu.

Radio Tuvalu's news editor says Tuvaluans have spent months preparing for the royal visit, the first since that of the Queen and Prince Philip in 1982.

Silafaga Lalua says as well as experiencing traditional cultural practices in a purpose-built village, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are meeting school children, watching canoe racing and discussing climate change with university students.

She says Tuvalu is hoping the royal visit from one of the world's most powerful countries will help its fight for survival.

"I think this royal visit can really help push things through and get things going especially where the money is concerned, you know with the green fund, for us to get adapation funding to do adaptation activities here to help us counter the climate change impact."

Radio Tuvalu's news editor Silafaga Lalua.