Fiji, July 6 -- Vanuatu has welcomed a historic ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR), calling it a breakthrough in linking climate change with legal obligations to protect human rights.

Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management, said the advisory opinion released today marks a major step forward.

"The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu commends the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) on its groundbreaking advisory opinion on the Climate Emergency and Human Rights, issued today in response to a joint request from the Governments of Chile and Colombia in January 2023."

Regenvanu said the ruling reinforces wha...