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this article is reproduced from [xinhuanet];

xinhua news agency, suva, august 31 (reporter guo xinhui) nuku'alofa news: the 53rd pacific islands forum leaders' meeting, which lasted for 5 days, closed on august 30 in nuku'alofa, the capital of tonga. climate change and financing were the top topics of the summit. leaders of pacific island countries called for the inclusion of sea level rise in the agenda of the united nations general assembly.

in a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, the leaders of the island countries pointed out that climate change and sustainable development remain priorities in the pacific island region, and strongly called for the issue of sea level rise to be included as an independent agenda in the agenda of the united nations general assembly and other relevant united nations processes.

in their communique, the leaders reaffirmed their support and commitment to the pacific resilience fund, recognizing it as the first people-centered climate and disaster resilience financing mechanism led, owned and operated by pacific island countries. the communique said the leaders agreed to locate the fund's headquarters in tonga and plan to raise $500 million by 2026.

un secretary-general guterres expressed his full support for the blue pacific 2050 strategy when attending the meeting. guterres said he would do his best to mobilize international resources to support the pacific resilience fund to cope with rising sea levels. he urged governments to strengthen climate action, gradually phase out fossil fuels, increase climate adaptation funds, and save the ocean.

during the meeting, the leaders also discussed important issues such as regional peace and security, economic recovery and challenges, and health system resilience.

the pacific islands forum was established in 1971 and is an important regional political and economic organization in the region.