COP29, Baku Saturday 23rd November, 2024 6:00pm AZT

● Firstly, let me make it clear that the Alliance of Small Island States remains committed to this process and are here in the spirit of good faith in multilateralism to secure the best deal that will protect not just us, but the world from the worst impacts of climate change.

● We have presently removed ourselves from the stalled NCQG discussions, which were not offering a progressive way forward.

● We want nothing more than to continue to engage, but the process must be INCLUSIVE.

● If this cannot be the case, it becomes very difficult for us to continue our involvement here at COP29.

● Small island developing states and Least Developing Countries are among the very worst impacted by this climate crisis that we did not cause.

● Yet we have found ourselves continuously insulted by the lack of inclusion, our calls are being ignored.

● Across all packages, there is a deplorable lack of substance, especially as it relates to the special needs and circumstances of SIDS and LDCS. Our key asks on mitigation have also been ignored. We need to see progress and follow up on the transition away from fossil fuels that we agreed last year. We have been asked to forget all about that at this COP as though we are not in a critical decade and as though the 1.5C limit is not in peril. .

● We need to be shown the regard which our dire circumstances necessitate.

● We are calling on Parties to respect the Paris Agreement we all signed on to, which holds developed countries to provide adequate assistance to developing countries.

● What is happening here is highlighting what a very different boat our vulnerable countries are in, compared to the developed countries. After this COP29 ends, we cannot just sail off into the sunset. We are literally sinking. Understand this – I am not exaggerating when I say our islands are sinking! How can you expect us to go back to the women, men, and children of our countries with a poor deal which will surely plunge them into further peril?

● We are appealing to all countries to act with honour. Do not be remembered for contributing to a process which will go down as showing contempt for the world’s most vulnerable. Let us all come together and show the world we are serious about being saviours, and commit to a deal that will redound to the benefit of us all.

– The Honourable Minister Cedric Schuster, AOSIS Chair