The Republic of Nauru, current Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), announced at a recent plenary meeting of Ambassadors from AOSIS countries that the European Union would be providing essential funding to support AOSIS’s advocacy work at the international climate change negotiations.

AOSIS is a coalition of 43 island and coastal countries around the world that are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including ocean acidification, water shortages, intense storms, and sea level rise. The group champions ambitious efforts to lower the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change in line with the latest scientific recommendations.

“Too often the voices of the people most vulnerable to climate change are lost on the international stage. This support will enhance AOSIS’s long-term capacity and help ensure our members are able to actively engage in the UNFCCC process that is so critical to their nations’ well being,” said Ambassador Marlene Moses, who Chairs AOSIS.

The funding provided by the EU is divided into the following key areas:

• Providing the Chair of AOSIS with essential technical support, including climate change policy analysis, administrative and communications support;
• Enhancing the policy expertise of the national Governments of AOSIS’s member countries through a groundbreaking Climate Fellowship Programme;
• Enabling AOSIS to coordinate positions at both the technical and political level in a timely and effective manner, as well as to coordinate with other groups of vulnerable countries; and
• Supporting the attendance of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations of AOSIS countries and technical experts to attend the UNFCCC negotiations.

“With the costs of inaction mounting by the day, it is more important than ever for the interests of the people and countries most vulnerable to be represented at the climate talks. We are very grateful for the EU’s support and are confident it will help achieve the imperative goal of ensuring the survival of all states,” Ambassador Moses said.