The Edmund Rice Centre applauds the joint signing of a Statement of Solidarity by Pacific Elders' Voice Chair and former President of Kiribati His Excellency Anote Tong together with Saibai Boigu Elders and community leaders for the Torres Strait. 

The Pacific Elders' Voice is a group of former Presidents, Prime Ministers and high-level officials from across the Pacific.

The Statement of Solidarity is the result of a week-long visit by His Excellency Anote Tong to Saibai and Boigu islands in the Torres Strait, which occurred following an invitation extended to the Pacific Elders' Voice by Saibai and Boigu Traditional Owners.

The Statement of Solidarity calls on governments like Australia to stop subsidising fossil fuel projects and take "urgent and decisive" climate action to ensure that average global warming remains below 1.5 degrees C.

His Excellency Anote Tong said: "Saibai and Boigu islands are really part of the Pacific in many ways and they are facing climate-related impacts and challenges very similar to those faced by Pacific Island Nations.  Their future is our future.

Like Pacific Island nations, Saibai and Boigu island communities bear very little responsibility for creating the climate crisis, yet we are at the forefront of climate impacts. 

We stand together in solidarity in seeking climate justice from those who are responsible for creating and perpetuating the climate crisis, including the fossil fuel industry."