Leaders of the Pacific Smaller Island States (SIS) met Tuesday for their 17th Summit in Alofi, Niue, taking particular note of climate change and the reduction of fuel and food costs.

"I wish to stress that our success in addressing our common problems will continue to depend on our genuine commitments toward the implementation of agreed collective solutions. I urge all of you to consider this seriously as we continue to discuss specific issues and challenges that we face as Smaller Island States," said Niuean Premier Toke Talagi, who chaired the meeting, in his opening address.

The SIS groups some small Pacific island countries, including Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu.

The effect of "global warming" has been a threat to safety of island communities, as some low-lying countries, such as Tuvalu and Kiribati, are facing inundation from rising sea levels.

For their physical isolation, weak economies and high reliance on imported foods, those countries are also particularly vulnerable to soaring food and fuel prices.

Talagi told a press conference after the summit that the meeting had discussed some initiatives proposed by donor countries and organizations. Meanwhile, he urged for quicker actions to work out practical solution on those initiatives and easily accessible funds from donors.

The premier said the meeting had proposed a submission to OPEC, seeking lower oil prices for small island countries through bulk purchase.

The SIS Leaders also discussed a wide range of issues, including transportation, bulk procurement of fuel and pharmaceuticals, labor mobility, energy, health, development financing and meteorological services.

The SIS Leaders'meeting is part of the agenda of the 39th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Summit which will officially start later Tuesday.

Acting Secretary General of the PIF Secretariat, Feleti Teo told the SIS Leaders that the SIS Unit and the SIS desk officers within the Forum Secretariat have been instrumental in supporting SIS address their capacity constraints in implementing the Pacific Plan initiatives, endorsed in October 2005.

"The Secretariat and I are committed to the long term maintenance of this Unit and will ensure it has sustainable funding to support it," Teo said.

The SIS Leaders'Summit observed a minute of silence at the beginning of their meeting in respect of the contribution to SIS by the late Greg Urwin, Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat and the Deputy Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Mr Falani Aukoso who both passed away in recent weeks.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2008)