In a statement ahead of a 16-nation summit opening here Friday, the alliance of 13 NGOs said real security could only be assured through the sustainable use of resources and if the development needs of the region's people were met.

Pacific Forum Secretary General Greg Urwin said he would formally deliver the statement to the summit -- the first time in the forum's 33 years that leaders have formally listened to civil society groups.

"The war on terrorism should not divert resources from the issues identified by leaders in the Biketawa Declaration," agreed by Pacific nations in 2001, the statement said.

The agreement outlined ethnicity, socio-economic disparities, lack of good governance, land disputes and erosion of cultural values as priority areas.

The group urged leaders to accept "the security threat posed by climate change" to Pacific countries, many of which are low lying and susceptible to slight rises in sea levels blamed on global warming.

The Pacific Island countries have also been struggling to comply with new international standards on increased security around port areas and at airports.

In small island nations open access to ports, often right in the middle of towns, has been the norm and with a shortage of land and money, the new measures have stretched some countries.

The submission also focused on economic development, calling Pacific leaders to promote a broad debate on development reflecting people's needs and urged a freeze on any more free trade negotiations.

The forum includes Australia, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papau New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomons, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

SPACE.WIRE