Thank you Mr. President,

Thank you to the Presidency for its efforts in putting together this package of decisions. We appreciate that the contours of the package are now on the table but we believe that we have some way to go before we achieve the balance and ambition that AOSIS needs to see coming out of Baku.

The stakes are incredibly high as we work to deliver a package that meets the world’s urgent needs. Implementing all aspects of the Paris Agreement requires the sense of urgency that the global climate crisis demands. We cannot afford to undermine the progress and hard-won balance achieved less than a year ago in Dubai.

The package needs to protect the space for deep emissions reductions and stronger mitigation efforts on the ground in this critical decade. If we lose these elements, the implementation of the Paris Agreement’s goals will fall out of balance.

For AOSIS it is critical that the package is fully in line with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree goal which is essential for the livelihoods and viability of our peoples.

[NCQG]

As it relates to the new climate finance goal, we appreciate the efforts to streamline the text. There is a critical piece of this puzzle missing. The overall number. Colleagues, the time for political games is over.

AOSIS has a number of paragraphs in the text that must remain as well as text that must be deleted in order to ensure our redlines are not crossed. We appreciate guidance from the Presidency on how it intends for Parties to interact with the text.

Our preference on goal formulation is Option 1. However, we do need clarity on what the second half of paragraph 23 means among other things. What is clearly missing from Option 1 is the SIDS and LDCs respective minimum allocation floors within these goal formulation paragraphs. We cannot emphasise enough the importance for these floors being linked to the provision goal to be in the final outcome. This is one of our main redlines

With regards to Option 2 of goal formulation focused on an investment goal, AOSIS would like to reiterate that we cannot have a decision coming from a Paris Agreement body that goes against the Paris Agreement. This is a clear shifting of the burden to these capacitated, least responsible, and most ambitious.

[Mitigation]

On matters related to Mitigation, the current proposed text is severely lacking in ambition, but it can serve as a starting point for enhancing the mitigation action required to reach the 1.5C target. In addition, the text does not cover the full scope of issues that we have been discussing over the last few weeks, and we will seek a way of re-introducing them where possible. On Paragraph 6 Option 2 is strongly preferred; however, we can live with Option 1 which clearly outlines our priority for the energy transition. It is imperative to establish clear and direct linkages between the GST outcomes and the MWP to enable us to reach the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement.

[GST]

Regarding the GST, we see that the presidency’s proposal for the UAE dialogue outlines several options. Our vision for the dialogue is to establish a follow-up mechanism that ensures the effective implementation of all GST outcomes, with a particular focus on finance and other means of implementation. We cannot accept an approach that focuses solely on one aspect of the GST outcome and we urge that the GST be considered in its entirety. That said, we recognize the value in some of the proposals in the text and are open to exploring ways to integrate these options in our preferred approach.

With respect to Article 6, we are getting closer to the finalization of text but a key issue for AOSIS is still missing.

We still lack, and need, clear and visible columns and headings for SOP and OMGE in our Agreed Electronic Format (AEF) Table.

Key for AOSIS is making Share of Proceeds (SOP) and an Overall Mitigation of Global Emissions (OMGE) work, ACROSS both 6.2 and 6.4.

On matters related to GGA, we have spent nearly two weeks working tirelessly to improve this text, collaborating among all groups. We are disappointed to see that many suggestions made by AOSIS and other parties are not reflected in this text, where others are and should not be. The text on the UAE-Belem work program must not mention further work on mapping, but it should request the experts to consider indicators related to means of implementation. We support the inclusion of the option for a standalone agenda item on the GGA going forward.

Your Excellency, Excellencies and colleagues

We appreciate that many of us have our minds focused on the finance outcomes of this text, but we must reiterate the need for balance in the package of decisions we agree on here in Baku. A strong direction on substantive mitigation outcomes is critical for AOSIS, including on a market system to help facilitate them. Adaptation is a top priority for SIDS and we must ensure that it receives the attention required. As always, you can count on AOSIS to work with you tirelessly in achieving the balance required.