TUVALU TO RAISE CLIMATE CHANGE AT UN SPECIAL SESSION ON CHILDREN

FUNAFUTI, Tuvalu (May 9, 2002 – Radio Australia)---Tuvalu is planning to use the United Nations Special Session on Children to again bring the issue of global warming to the world’s attention.

The country's Permanent Representative to the UN, Enele Sopoaga, said there was hardly any point talking about the future of children when that future was gravely threatened by a rise in sea level.

Tuvalu is investigating the possibility of launching a lawsuit against industrialized countries that will make them financially responsible for the threat it says it is under.

The country opened a permanent mission to the UN in New York last year for the sole purpose of pushing climate change issues.

Mr. Sopoaga said Tuvalu had few options, and if a lawsuit would ensure long-term security for its children, the government would take it up.