The principles of ecological civilization offer the world "a path toward a future where development is sustainable, where respect for ecosystems is paramount, and where technological progress goes hand in hand with stewardship of the Earth", a foreign expert said.

Morris Toiraena, deputy speaker of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony for Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2025, a two-day event that concluded on Sunday.

Launched in 2009, the forum is the only national-level international forum in China dedicated to ecological civilization. The event this year is themed "Harmonious Coexistence Between Humans and Nature · Global Collaborative Development for Green Transformation".

The theme of the forum this year, "could not be more fitting for the times we live in. The forum's enduring commitment to ecological civilization — aligned with China's forward-thinking concepts, policies, and actions — serves as an inspiring example for all of us," Toiraena said.

Solomon Islands, as well as Pacific Island nations, are facing a "sobering reality". "We are living at the frontlines of a crisis that we did not cause," he stressed.

For centuries, people in these nations have lived in harmony with nature, with the ocean their lifeblood, forests their pharmacy, and fertile soil their pantry, he stated.

Rapid industrialization and unchecked human activity in other parts of the world, however, have disrupted this balance and resulted in a series of negative consequences, he said.

For Pacific Island nations, climate change is not an abstract issue. The problem, however, is not created by them but by wealthy nations, he stressed.

Much of the fortune that wealthy nations possess was generated over decades of reckless pollution. These governments from these developing countries are now tasked to deal with those consequences, Toiraena said.

"This is unfair, immoral, and these polluting countries should take up their responsibilities," he underscored. "That is why this forum matters. The principles of ecological civilization — those you uphold here in Guiyang — are precisely what we need to embrace globally."

He lauded the Eco Forum Global Guiyang as a platform for fostering international collaboration.

"In this era of shared challenges, it is only through deeper cooperation and mutual understanding that we can protect the fragile blue continents like ours. We need not just rhetoric but bold action in emission reduction, ocean health restoration, renewable energy support, and funding for climate adaptation and resilience in vulnerable countries," he said.

The road ahead is challenging. By embracing the spirit of harmonious coexistence embodied by this forum, a collective rise to the occasion can ensure a thriving, resilient Earth for future generations, Toiraena emphasized. "Our children deserve a planet where humans and nature live in true harmony. They deserve our commitment, our courage, and our action — starting now," he said.