Fiji’s interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama has accused the global community of abandoning Pacific island nations to “sink below the waves” instead of tackling climate change.

Opening a regional summit, he singled out “selfish” Australia for criticism, saying there is “collective disappointment and dismay” in the Pacific at the failure to address climate change.

“The rising sea levels caused by global warming threaten the very existence of some of our neighbours – Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands,” he told the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF).

“They are already swamping the coastal areas of many Pacific nations, including Fiji.

“Yet if anything, the collective will of the global community to adequately address this crisis is receding.”

Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was guest of honour at the summit.

He pledged US$20 million to help Pacific island states combat climate change, in a bid to boost the “green economy” in the region.

Rear Admiral Bainimarama said there had been “a distinct change of rhetoric” from Australia on climate change since conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbott was elected last year.

Earlier this month, Abbott said he would not adopt any climate policies that would “clobber the economy”.

“I appeal to Australia and other countries not to behave selfishly over the catastrophic prospect facing small island developing states,” Rear Admiral Bainimarama said.

“History will judge you harshly if you abandon us to our apparent fate of sinking below the waves because you don’t want to make the necessary adjustment to your domestic policies.”

Yudhoyono said climate change was among the greatest challenges facing the world and announced Indonesia was allocating US$20 million to help minimise its impact in the Pacific.

“Indonesia has a strong commitment to broaden its network of cooperation with PIDF countries in mitigating the impact of climate change,” he said.

Yudhoyono also said he wanted two-way trade between Indonesia and Pacific island nations to triple to $US1 billion in coming years.

The Fijian leader’s renewed call for action comes after the Fijian president and Head of State, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, announced in February this year, that the people of Kiribati would be granted a home in Fiji if their country is submerged by the rising seas.

Kiribati has already purchased 6000 acres of land on Fiji’s second biggest island, Vanua Levu, to ensure its food security as sea water encroaches on its arable land.

The Fijian president announced that some or all of the 100,000 citizens of Kiribati would be able to migrate to Fiji if the need arose.

“Fiji will not turn its back on our neighbours in their hour of need,” he said. “I want to assure you all that Fiji will stand shoulder to shoulder with you as you face this crisis, as well as in doing everything possible to try to avert it. In a worst case scenario and if all else fails, you will not be refugees.”

The PIDF Summit ended yesterday.