I am honoured to bring you greetings from the Independent State of
Samoa, and I am pleased to deliver my remarks as Chair of the
Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
• On behalf of the people inhabiting some of the most vulnerable regions
in the world, I thank you, Secretary General, for convening this crucial
meeting. For our small island developing states, global climate
ambition – or sadly, the lack thereof – is the issue which is determining
the very survival of our people.
• I stand here for the people of Tuvalu and Kiribati, islands where
communities have already been forced to relocate due to the rising
seas.
I stand here for the Marshall Islands, where residents are challenged
to access safe drinking water due to saltwater intrusion.
I stand here for Dominica, where Hurricane Maria cost $90 billion in
damage.
I stand here for the Maldives, where coastal erosion is threatening
livelihoods.

I could continue to recount many more examples, but I am here to
ensure that all people of small island developing states know that their
voices are being heard on the world stage, and we will not stop fighting
for their right to remain on the lands in which the legacies of their
ancestors are rooted, the lands we have every obligation to protect for
current and future generations.
• We wholeheartedly endorse the United Nations Secretary-General’s
acceleration agenda for climate action. For decades, AOSIS has been
sounding the alarm on the devastating impacts of climate change, and
the need for countries to be accountable for their contributions to this
crisis.
• As SIDS, our contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is LESS THAN
ONE PER CENT. The G20 is responsible for EIGHTY PER CENT of
emissions. EIGHTY PER CENT. Our small islands are being ravaged
and bearing the terrible burden of the bigger countries’ pursuit of profit
over the wellbeing of our people. This is not right. It is unjust. And we
talk ad nauseum about making good – when will leaders finally ACT
for our climate, for our people?
• The Synthesis Report for the Technical Dialogue of the Global
Stocktake was released this month, underscoring that emissions are
not in line with the one point five degrees Celsius goal, and the window
to up ambition and deliver on current promises is closing fast.
• However, the Report also makes it clear that one point five can
certainly still be kept alive! We must work together on this – there is
absolutely no time to waste. The world can peak emissions by 2025
through collective action. With the right mix of support and clean
technologies and solutions for dramatically scaling up renewable
energy use, and permanently shifting away from fossil fuels on the
deadline set by science, we can get this just transition right.
• We are not where we need to be, but with deep and fast emissions
cuts to halve global emissions by 2030, we can achieve our global goal
of limiting warming to one point five Celsius, to avoid the very worst
impacts of climate change.

• Small island developing states are not standing still waiting for the
world to change Despite formidable capacity constraints, AOSIS
members continue to drive the UN system forward, calling on it to
address the climate crisis and protect the most vulnerable across all its
institutions and bodies.
• SIDS are also actively engaged in climate action domestically to
address the challenges posed by climate change and promote
sustainability. For instance:
– Samoa is serious about transitioning to clean sustainable energy
through the utilization of renewable energy sources. This is
demonstrated by investments in Alaoa Hydro Plant, 750kW Afolau
Biomass Gasification Plant, Battery Energy Storage Systems at Fiaga
and Faleolo.
– The Marshall Islands worked closely with civil society to achieve clean
water for all – only the second nation in the world to meet this SDG,
and against difficult odds.
– Dominica is committed to becoming the world’s first climate-resilient
nation, investing in resilient infrastructure, reforestation, and
geothermal energy projects.
– Palau has created one of the world’s largest marine sanctuaries, the
Palau National Marine Sanctuary.
– Cabo Verde has been developing wind and solar energy projects to
reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Many SIDS are leading the way in driving forward renewable energy
initiatives as well as making concerted adaptation efforts to combat
erosion and sea level rise and address water and agricultural
challenges – however, this will all be for naught if all countries do not
collaborate and if we are not provided with the support we urgently
need from the international community, particularly on the financial and
technical fronts.

• Colleagues, the time has come to truly commit to climate action. As we
look ahead to COP28, AOSIS is reiterating our call for:
1. GST outcomes that are focused on course correction;
2. Agreement to a framework on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA),
and robust outcomes from the GGA work programme for adaptation
action that deliver on the needs and priorities of SIDS, including on
the commitment to double finance for adaptation.
3. More ambitious action on mitigation, including commitments to phase
out fossil fuels and remove related subsidies;
4. The operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and robust
funding arrangements at COP28 that are fit for purpose for developing
countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of
climate change, especially our small island developing States; and
5. A strong call for delivery of scaled-up and improved finance,
technology and capacity building to unlock increased ambition in the
next round of NDCs.
• Excellencies, colleagues – how do you want history to remember you?
Make no mistake, the storm is gaining strength. It is our responsibility
as leaders to course correct in this crisis and steer our people safely
out of harm’s way. I appeal to you to stand with us as we chart this
urgently-needed new course. Together, we must and we can turn back
the tide of climate change.