The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has raised the issue of the displacement of local communities as a result of climate change, at the United Nations.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General, Meg Taylor. Photo: supplied
The Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor, also spoke with Secretary General Ban Ki Moon about the potential for conflict from such displacement.
Dame Meg and other regional heads are in New York to discuss the need for closer cooperation between the world body and its regional partners.
She says in addition to climate related issues, it is important to consider the human cost of climate change.
Dame Meg says for people in the Pacific the effects of climate change are immediate and dire.
She has also urged the UN to give more attention to the conflict between communities and the private sector over natural resource extraction.
Dame Meg says the UN should focus on the potential for conflict over the access to and use of resources, particularly land and water.
