Attorney-General Graham Leung emphasized the significance of the Pacific Regional Speakershop for amplifying regional voices during his address in Nadi yesterday. He highlighted the upcoming advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding State responsibilities in addressing climate change as a historic opportunity.
“This moment is crucial as we strive to ensure that our nations’ voices, particularly those from the Pacific, are taken into account in the global legal discussion surrounding climate change,” Mr. Leung stated. He stressed the importance of gaining legal clarity on what international law mandates from States in terms of climate action.
“This involves more than just treaty interpretation; it encompasses the application of legal principles such as State responsibility, environmental protection, and human rights, all within the context of the pressing challenge of climate change that humanity faces today,” he added.
Leung noted that the ICJ’s opinion, alongside the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) opinion from May of this year, will contribute significantly to the body of climate change and human rights law. For countries like Fiji, Vanuatu, and other Pacific Island nations, he underscored that this issue goes beyond legal discussions; it is about survival and the future of succeeding generations.
He also pointed out that climate change is already jeopardizing homes, livelihoods, and cultural practices. “Rising sea levels, more frequent cyclones, and fluctuating weather patterns compel us to confront difficult realities,” he said.