PM tells UN not to lose sight on climate change during COVID-19

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has reminded the 75^th United Nations General Assembly via video that in collected efforts to combat coronavirus, “we must not lose sight of the need to address ongoing challenges brought about by climate change.”

In his statement today, Sogavare said: “I wish to remind us all, that in our collective efforts to combat the coronavirus, we must not lose sight of the need to address ongoing challenges brought about by climate change. I once again reiterate my Government’s call for more action by those with a greater means of implementation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, I call on all states to set ambitious nationally determined contributions. Let us adhere to what the science is telling us and strive to maintain global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius.”

Meanwhile Sogavare was pleased to inform the Assembly that Solomon Islands remains one of the 12 COVID-19 free countries without a reported case.

“However, we have not remained complacent. My government has responded to the pandemic by undertaking the following steps. Firstly, a COVID-19 Oversight Committee comprising of all relevant government agencies was quickly established to coordinate the Government’s response to the pandemic. Furthermore, resources were swiftly mobilized to address gaps within our healthcare system and secure entry points on our borders. On the economic front my Government has created a stimulus package to cushion the negative impacts that the virus has and will continue to impose on our fragile economy,” he said.

 Sogavare said so far, 11 repatriation flights have been undertaken with more than 1000 people have entered “our borders, 80% of whom are repatriated nationals and 20% foreign nationals. We have scheduled more flights to repatriate more of our nationals abroad.”

News@SBMOnline2020