The Pacific Island seeks for more international funding.

The leader of Vanuatu, pushing to take climate change to the international court, said the slow pace of international negotiations over emissions reduction was "totally out of step" with the impact Pacific islands are seeing.

Leaders from 15 nations are meeting in Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum, where they are discussing how to gather more international support and funding to fight the impact of climate change, as well as China's ambitions for greater security ties across the region.

International funding for Pacific islands to rebuild societies threatened by rising sea levels would be boosted if the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues an advisory opinion on the obligation of states to protect the rights of future generations from the impacts of climate change, he said.


"Unanimous Support" for Legal Initiative on Global Warming

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Mr. Bob Loughman said his proposal had gained "unanimous support" from forum members for a call for the United Nations General Assembly to back an ICJ case.

Developed nations most responsible for climate change have been reluctant to commit to financing for low-lying island states to deal with the loss and damage caused by rising sea levels.

An ICJ opinion would speed up the mobilisation of climate funds, put human rights at the centre of the debate and respond to the demands of young people, Mr. Loughman told a community dialogue in Suva on the sidelines of the forum.