Aosis needs more financing, better visibility
The Aosis (Alliance of Small Island States) ministerial meeting held in Seychelles over the last two days has permitted member countries to strengthen their partnerships and reiterate commitment to each other.
It has also permitted the organisation to define its priorities, the first of which is ensuring survival of its countries and people.
The conference has also resolved that the climate change issue cannot be tackled without sustainable development.
Evidently, the delegates have succeeded in their mission of preparing for further talks in Lima next month and the Climate Change Summit to be held in Paris in 2015.
The meeting’s results were revealed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam and the Minister for Education and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change of Nauru Charmaine Scotty. The two ministers were speaking at a press conference yesterday afternoon at the Savoy Resort and Spa at Beau Vallon.
Also present were Seychelles’ ambassador for climate change at the United Nations Ronny Jumeau and the principal secretary for Environment Wills Agricole.
Ministers Adam and Scotty have described the meeting as a very productive one which has emphasised the importance of adaptation alongside mitigation, and a good preparation for Lima and Paris where a meaningful agreement is hoped to be reached with carbon emitter countries.
However, they have also disclosed that the organisation is suffering from serious lack of funds, as industrial countries and partners have not kept their promises since the first funding conference held in Copenhagen 2009.
For the $100 billion promised for adaptation and mitigation by 2020 and $15 billion before the coming Lima meeting, only $2.8 billion have been raised so far.
Moreover, some major emitters have said that they will not contribute to the ‘Green Climate Fund’ created for that effect.
“$2.8 million is nothing. We will be making a lot of noise in Lima. We will say to the emitters that if we want to talk to you seriously, we must get your confidence. If Seychelles has been able to set up wind farms, it is due to help from friendly countries,” added Ambassador Jumeau.
It is hoped that a coming donor conference in Berlin will attract more pledges towards the fund.
Minister Adam stressed that it was important to convince developed countries that climate change affects everyone.
“Climate change is not about government but about people. Island issues are global issues. New York and London are currently being affected by floods,” he remarked.
He added that the rich nations could also consider exchange of debt of poorer countries for adaptation as advocated by Seychelles. In this case, debt cancellation is commuted into a credit for them in the Green Climate Fund.
The two ministers also spoke of the necessity, in spite of much effort, to raise more public awareness and educate people on the danger of climate change. They expressed the need of more media coverage to at every opportunity send the strong message to the world.
“We have to make our voice heard at all mountain tops, in all forums and in all the capitals in the world,” Minister Adam insisted.
Mrs Scotty has also called for stronger leadership within Aosis and for the commitment from leaders to follow on work done by negotiators. This includes putting pressure on emitters for their emission not to exceed 1.5 percent.
Seychelles will take over chairmanship of Aosis in 2017. It is hoped that this will coincide with the solicited non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The latter position will put our country in the ideal situation to bring the small island states agenda to Uited Nations and to the world.
It has also permitted the organisation to define its priorities, the first of which is ensuring survival of its countries and people.
The conference has also resolved that the climate change issue cannot be tackled without sustainable development.
Evidently, the delegates have succeeded in their mission of preparing for further talks in Lima next month and the Climate Change Summit to be held in Paris in 2015.
The meeting’s results were revealed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam and the Minister for Education and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change of Nauru Charmaine Scotty. The two ministers were speaking at a press conference yesterday afternoon at the Savoy Resort and Spa at Beau Vallon.
Also present were Seychelles’ ambassador for climate change at the United Nations Ronny Jumeau and the principal secretary for Environment Wills Agricole.
Ministers Adam and Scotty have described the meeting as a very productive one which has emphasised the importance of adaptation alongside mitigation, and a good preparation for Lima and Paris where a meaningful agreement is hoped to be reached with carbon emitter countries.
However, they have also disclosed that the organisation is suffering from serious lack of funds, as industrial countries and partners have not kept their promises since the first funding conference held in Copenhagen 2009.
For the $100 billion promised for adaptation and mitigation by 2020 and $15 billion before the coming Lima meeting, only $2.8 billion have been raised so far.
Moreover, some major emitters have said that they will not contribute to the ‘Green Climate Fund’ created for that effect.
“$2.8 million is nothing. We will be making a lot of noise in Lima. We will say to the emitters that if we want to talk to you seriously, we must get your confidence. If Seychelles has been able to set up wind farms, it is due to help from friendly countries,” added Ambassador Jumeau.
It is hoped that a coming donor conference in Berlin will attract more pledges towards the fund.
Minister Adam stressed that it was important to convince developed countries that climate change affects everyone.
“Climate change is not about government but about people. Island issues are global issues. New York and London are currently being affected by floods,” he remarked.
He added that the rich nations could also consider exchange of debt of poorer countries for adaptation as advocated by Seychelles. In this case, debt cancellation is commuted into a credit for them in the Green Climate Fund.
The two ministers also spoke of the necessity, in spite of much effort, to raise more public awareness and educate people on the danger of climate change. They expressed the need of more media coverage to at every opportunity send the strong message to the world.
“We have to make our voice heard at all mountain tops, in all forums and in all the capitals in the world,” Minister Adam insisted.
Mrs Scotty has also called for stronger leadership within Aosis and for the commitment from leaders to follow on work done by negotiators. This includes putting pressure on emitters for their emission not to exceed 1.5 percent.
Seychelles will take over chairmanship of Aosis in 2017. It is hoped that this will coincide with the solicited non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The latter position will put our country in the ideal situation to bring the small island states agenda to Uited Nations and to the world.
Forrás: www.nation.sc