Talofa reader, I am pleased to introduce the first newsletter from the climate team of the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States. We look forward to keeping our members and partners updated on our work as we strive to amplify the priorities of our small island developing states (SIDS) and empower our people. It is my honour to represent the interests of our islands from the Pacific, Caribbean, and African, Indian and South China seas. We are all bonded as custodians of the oceans, as guardians of the extraordinary ecosystems which keep our world in balance. We are the small island developing states, but together we are a tremendous force. Our resilience and tenacity have yielded achievements that have changed the course of history, particularly in the sphere of climate negotiations as well as sustainable development initiatives. It is clear that we have the ingenuity and aptitude to lead with our own solutions. Working together with the international community to enhance our fiscal space and technological and infrastructural capacity is key to ensuring we can enact these solutions and safeguard SIDS’ lives and livelihoods for generations to come. Amidst a wave of unprecedented global climate events and continued external shocks, it is critical that we move with renewed vigor to drive forth necessary transformation. Our team has been deeply engaged in meetings and activities, and strengthening partner relations to deliver enhanced support for SIDS. We are advancing into a pivotal, hectic period and we look forward to productive outcomes from the UNGA sessions, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit, and of course COP28. Importantly, preparations are underway for our AOSIS Leaders Meeting which will take place on the fringes of the UNGA on Friday 22nd September. This will be an auspicious opportunity for our SIDS leaders to crystallize our positions into the AOSIS Leaders Declaration. Importantly, as we look ahead to the momentous Fourth International Conference on SIDS (SIDS4), the Leaders Meeting will be the prime avenue to bring forth the outcomes of our Regional Meetings and set the scene for a truly transformative SIDS4. I look forward to engaging with as many of you as possible in the coming months. I am confident that as one force we will impel the action that will give rise to a new era of SIDS sustainability, safety, and prosperity.