Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the most serious issue facing Kiribati after climate change according to the country's health minister.
Kobebe Taitai was was among 40 Pacific parliamentarians in New Zealand last week for the Pacific Parliamentary Forum.
Mr Taitai said whilst climate change was undoubtedly the biggest challenge for the future of Kiribati, the region wide NCD crisis was a very close second.
"Because I think NCD is one of the common impacts in most of the Pacific Islands because of the diet and all that. So I think it is about time that we have to work on something that we can reduce the number of NCDs not only in Kiribati but with our neighbouring brothers islands," said Kobebe Taitai.