UN General Assembly

Small Island Developing States priorities discussed at the UN General Assembly

Samoa prime minister and Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) chair Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa said a strong plan of action for survival is needed right now.

She said they need much greater mitigation ambition from the international community.

Fiamē also said the loss and damage fund, discussed at COP27, must be operationalised and fit for purpose for SIDS "as communities most vulnerable to climate change".

     

Tonga's King appeals to UN for greater protection from risks to peace

King Tupou VI thanked the Secretary General Antonio Guterres for his inaugural visit to the Pacific in May, to understand the climate crisis up close.

He commended the UN session's four priorities of; peace and security especially conflict prevention; stronger action on climate change; accentuating human rights for women and young people, and boosting the Sustainable Development Goals.

The King also expressed his gratitude for a more inclusive attitude by the UN towards small island states strengthening their voices.

France ups climate finance pledge to €5bn in 2020

That was announced by President Francois Hollande at the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, in a bid to leverage more action.

The host nation of this December’s critical Paris climate summit will also increase the amount available as grants, and not as loans, he said.

“We need developed countries to take on financial commitments… we have to make sure that emerging economies, developing countries can be sure they will be helped.”

Hollande noted that the developed world had yet to deliver on its promise to raise US$100 billion of climate finance in 2020.