Maldives highlights the leadership of Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in Climate Change, and its commitment to the 1.5 Degree temperature goal. The Maldivian Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed spoke at the side-event of Island COP 2017: 1.5 degree Celsius Science, Significance, and Ingredients for success organised by the Climate Analytics group in New York.
During his speech at the side-event, the Maldivian Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations, highlighted on the leadership of Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in Climate Change, including the key role of the Small Island States in establishing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2017. The Permanent Representative highlighted the instrumental role of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in ensuring a strong outcome of the Paris agreement, such as 1.5 degrees and loss and damage.
Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed announced that the Maldives, in its capacity as AOSIS Chair, in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency, has launched the Initiative for Renewable Island Energy (IRIE). The primary objective of IRIE is to enhance AOSIS political coordination and outreach to development partners with a view to mobilizing the resources required for a rapid transition to renewable energy systems in SIDS. He said that the initiative will kick off with an AOSIS Ministerial meeting in the Maldives on October 10 to 11.
The two-day programme will provide an opportunity for AOSIS Ministers to meet with development partners to take stock in the state of renewable energy deployment in SIDS, including critical needs, good practices, and challenges. The Permanent Representative welcomed the Island focus of the next COP in Fiji and expressed confidence that the Fijian team will be successful in guiding the Small Island States to a strong outcome.
The event focused on the importance of the urgent implementation of the 1.5C track by countries, and the panelists presented the latest scientific findings relating to climate impacts, vulnerability and risk relating to small island states and low lying coastal regions and outlined the key elements that could make the Island CO" to be held in Fiji a success.