Fiji, Oct. 6 -- Papua New Guinea will provide Tuvalu with PGK5 million (AUD$1.59 million/US$1.1 million) a year for the next five years to support land reclamation as the low-lying island nation faces rising sea levels and climate change.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape announced the PGK25 million (AUD$7.95 million/IS$5.54 million) commitment during a joint press conference with Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo in Funafuti on Monday.

Marape, the first visiting leader to arrive for the Leaders' Segment of the Fiji-hosted Pre-COP, said the commitment would begin this year.

Reflecting on Pacific solidarity, Marape referred to the biblical teaching: "This is an indication that whilst we wait for everybody else to respond, let's do what we ...