Anote Tong

“The one weakness in the force of our campaign (for global climate action) has been the lack of unity in purpose with the larger members of our Pacific family. It has been a huge source of disappointment for us to witness the constant changes of climate policies with the eddies of political parties in power, in both Australia and New Zealand.”

“Primarily, it (2020 Kiribati presidential election) has been about the Taiwan-China issue. In my experience, it's the most aggressive campaign that I've seen.”

“Sea level rise is turning our freshwater resources salty, rendering the land unable to grow staple crops such as coconut and taro, and eating away our shoreline. We are being told that we may have to abandon our islands (country), the places where our ancestors have been buried, where our children have a home and an identity. If this disastrous outcome comes to pass, my people will need a place of safety to move to. Rather than be regarded as "climate refugees" – a term that has no definition or status in the international legal system – I seek migration with dignity for my people.”