European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has announced a 17 million NZ dollars (about 14 million U.S. dollars) Pacific fund for climate change-related projects.

Barroso, who met New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in Auckland on Wednesday, also called for urgent action on climate change.

The European Commission president announced at the forum that it will make the 17 million NZ dollars available to Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste to help combat climate change.

Following his talks with Key, He told reporters that the EU wanted to renew its engagement with the Pacific region, saying the EU's solidarity with the Pacific was "growing and real."

The two leaders also discussed the global economy and other issues.

Barroso also attended the opening ceremony of the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting on Wednesday and met with Pacific leaders in Auckland to discuss the Union's role in tackling climate change in the region.

On Thursday, Barroso will deliver a lecture at the University of Auckland and receive an honorary doctorate at Auckland University.

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