AOSIS Chair Luteru rallies island nations for COP29: ‘We are the moral voice of climate action’

As COP29 approaches, the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa’olelei Luteru, sent a powerful message to climate negotiators, calling for unity and unwavering resolve among small island developing states.

“Our small island developing states are strong and unified in our positions,” he said, following a year of intensive efforts capped by recent high-level meetings at the UN General Assembly.

With communities across the islands bracing for an unpredictable hurricane season, Luteru emphasised that the stakes couldn’t be higher.

“The citizens of small island developing states are fraught with the fear that the next storm could completely dismantle their lives,” he said.

“They are depending on us to fight for them, and their faith bolsters our tenacity.”

Luteru highlighted that AOSIS represents the “moral voice” at COP29 and called for outcomes that align with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

“It is imperative that we achieve an outcome that Keeps 1.5 Alive, to avoid the most tragic effects of the climate crisis.

He made it clear that climate finance is central to this mission, stressing the need for high ambition on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).

“Climate finance is at the core of addressing this crisis.

“Without adequate and efficient financial flows, actions on adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage cannot function in a truly impactful way. High ambition on the NCQG will be key to ensuring the world can keep global temperatures at the crucial 1.5°C limit,” he said.

In a rallying call to AOSIS members, Luteru concluded, “We are all in this together, and I look forward to standing with you at COP29 to ensure a sustainable future for our islands.