Tuvalu's prime minister says the international community must recognise that inclusive human right principles are key to achieving a solution on climate change.
Enele Sopoaga says climate change threatens the very core principles at the heart of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- including the right to life, liberty and security.
But he says human rights have been largely ignored in the climate change discourse so far, when they should be an integral part of discussions.
Tuvalu - locals assessing damage following flooding Photo: Supplied
Mr Sopoaga says human rights are essential to developing climate change solutions that will give vulnerable groups effective and meaningful adaptation measures to access food, shelter and water.
He says Tuvalu will be seeking the strengthened inclusion of human rights in any agreement from the COP21 international climate meeting that begins next week in Paris.
