Almost half of the islanders are living about 1.5 km to seashore and their concern over climate change is worrisome, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Friday.

Delivering opening remarks at the 21st Post Forum Dialogue Partners' Plenary Session held after the conclusion of the 40th Pacific Islands Forum, Rudd briefed the session about the Forum Communique issued at the end of the Forum on Thursday.

He renewed Australia's stance to tackle climate change and new challenges posed on small islands of limited access to water, security of pacific communities, greater jeopardy placed in the health of islanders, and obliteration that threatens some habitats and island states.

Wang Yongqiu, special envoy for the China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue, Chief of Chinese delegation was present in the plenary session. He will deliver a speech on Future-oriented Relationship between China and the Pacific Island Countries later in the day.

The 40th Pacific Islands Forum concluded here on Thursday with 15 heads of the island nations calling for strengthening development coordination in the pacific region and action on climate change.

The Forum addresses to common concern in the pacific region, such as regional trade, fisheries, renewable energy, regional partnership and assistance, pacific security, sexual violence, radioactive contaminants, Influenza A/H1N1 pandemic and the historic sporting ties that can help build strong communities in the region.

The Forum is an inter-governmental organization which aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean and represent their interests. It was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum and changed to Pacific Islands Forum in 2000.

Source: Xinhua