Pacific Island Nations Meet for Forum

Say climate change remains a huge threat

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Amid a spectacular display of traditional Pacific drumming and singing, leaders of the 15 nations of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) were warned of the dire problems that their nations face as they gathered in the Cook Islands for their annual meeting Tuesday.

Officially opening the meeting, PIF Secretary General Tuiloma Neroni Slade said the region was looking to the leaders for guidance as they faced unprecedented challenges.

"Economic growth of the forum countries continues to be lower than potential growth performance; climate change remains the single greatest threat; and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals is unheeded. There is a host of others," said Slade.