The Samoan and Cook Islands governments have taken the same approach as Fiji to mitigate the impact of climate change.

The two countries agreed with Fiji of a more integrated approach towards the issue during a panel discussion organized at the University of South Pacific. Samoa’s Finance Minister Sili Epa Tui-oti says all Pacific Island countries must allow more flexibility in their policies to consolidate climate change.

“Not only do we need to ensure that our infrastructure is resilient but the economy also need to be resilient and we need to take a good look at what we are doing now and the perspectives of where we want to be as a people.”

Cook Island’s Deputy Prime Minister Mark Brown says building a resilient country must be top priority.

Brown is calling on all Pacific island countries to continue to work together to find avenues that can further mitigate climate change.