Transcript
The Marshall Islands issued a challenge to other countries to try and cut their greenhouse gas emissions to zero.
This after releasing a comprehensive strategy to go carbon-neutral by 2050.
Environment minister David Paul says it's about showing leadership.
"We wanted to not just talk-the-talk but actually walk-the-walk. By producing something that, as ambitious as it is, it can demonstrate to the rest of the world that if we can do it so can they."
The Federated States of Micronesia issued a challenge of their own.
President Peter Christian saying islands in the Pacific will be the first to disappear unless countries get behind the implementation of climate change agreements.
He urged members who had not yet ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which commits signatories to a phase down of damaging hydroflurocarbons, to do so, calling it a 'planet-saving strategy'.
"Our current trajectory, many more islands will be lost, many homes destroyed, many people displaced. But we
can still avoid the worst climate impacts if we recognize the need for speed, and take fast action."
Mr Christian was one of the Pacific leaders who met at the Forum Summit earlier this month.
That meeting resulted in a request for the UN Secretary General to create the position to regularly review security threats posed by climate change and appoint a special representative on climate change.
Palau's President Tommy Remengesau reiterated the call at the General Assembly, saying there was a significant gap in the UN system.
"Building Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies is no longer an aspirational ideal. It is an absolute necessity for addressing the very grave economic, environmental, and humanitarian challenges facing the world."
Tonga, Kiribati and Nauru also expressed similar sentiments, pointing out that climate change was now a security threat.
New Zealand's prime minister also joined the Pacific leaders in using her address to push for global action.
Ms Ardern spoke of the importance of international institutions, particularly in combating global issues, like climate change.
Jacinda Ardern says if New Zealand's Pacific neighbours can not opt out of the effects of climate change, then why would the rest of the world opt out of efforts to stop it.
The UN's Secretary General Antonio Guterres agreed the world is at a pivotal moment in the face of climate change.
He said failure to change course within the next two years risks "runaway climate change".
Mr Guterres urged world leaders to listen to scientists, and to implement of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
"Excellencies ladies and gentleman it [Paris Agreement] has immense potential to set us on the right course but its targets which represent the bare minimum to avoid the worst impacts of climate change are far from being met."
Samoa, Solomon Islands and Fiji will address the General Assembly over the weekend.
