Palau is participating in the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, together with fellow members of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
Palau currently serves as Chair of AOSIS, a coalition of 39 small island and low-lying coastal countries negotiating within the United Nations for global climate efforts that ensure the survival and resilience of vulnerable island communities.
AOSIS has emphasised that getting the world back on track with the 1.5°C global warming limits is central to global climate action.
The alliance is urging countries to adhere to their commitments under the Paris Agreement and demonstrate the highest ambition with submission of new 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at COP30.
AOSIS is highlighting the importance of implementing the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST) and notes that new NDCs must incorporate the findings of the 2023 GST and be 1.5°C-aligned.
This is critical in order to address the global ambition and implementation gap. Furthermore, the bloc has underscored the importance of ensuring future GST review cycles are aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s scientific process.
AOSIS is also working to advance the Global Goal on Adaptation to ensure countries have the support and capacity needed to build resilience.
The coalition continues to advocate for increased concessional finance to address adaptation and loss and damage needs, and enhancement of broader climate funding that is predictable, accessible, and structured to avoid increasing debt. In addition, the alliance is advancing discussions on Just Transition to ensure climate action supports fair and inclusive development.
Palau is calling for climate finance that is easy to access and provided primarily as grants rather than loans, to support both national and community resilience without increasing debt.
AOSIS is likewise calling for stronger support and more predictable support for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, so that communities already experiencing sea level rise, coastal erosion, extreme rainfall, and other climate impacts can receive timely and effective assistance.
The coalition continues to advocate for a transparent climate finance roadmap that prioritises grant-based support and ensures that resources reach those who need them most.
With COP30 taking place in the Amazon region, AOSIS is highlighting the global responsibility to protect biodiversity.
As island nations strive to safeguard healthy oceans, cultural heritage, and sustainable livelihoods that uphold traditional knowledge and community stewardship, it is imperative that our efforts are matched by the necessary support and mitigation action from bigger countries.
Palau’s participation at COP30 supports ongoing national efforts under the Palau Climate Change Policy, the National Adaptation Plan, and its own NDC, along with broader climate resilience strategies.
These include work to strengthen coastal protection, water security, renewable energy development, and the preservation of cultural and historical sites. Engagement at COP30 helps advance partnerships and resource mobilisation to support community-based resilience across Palau’s states.
COP30 represents a critical moment for shifting from planning to implementation. The outcomes of the conference will shape support for vulnerable nations over the coming decade.
Palau remains committed to working collaboratively through AOSIS to ensure that global climate action reflects fairness, responsibility, and the long-term well-being of island communities.
