Ambassdor Marlene Moses
Chair, Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
"AOSIS is comprised of some of the most vulnerable nations to climate change. Thus, our main priority continues to be achieving greenhouse gas emissions reductions in line with the scientific recommendations. The bottom line for this effort should be the creation of an environment suitable for the survival of all nations.
Of course,
we know that climate impacts are already occurring and will become more
severe in the years to come. To that end, wealthy countries must provide
the necessary resources to help developing countries, and SIDS in
particular, both adapt to these impacts and build their own sustainable
energy sources.
AOSIS has three main objectives for Rio +20: First, is to achieve
recognition of the special challenges SIDS face in the areas of
development and environmental degradation, as well as the inextricable
links between them. Second, it is essential to recognise the challenges
climate change poses and will continue to pose to sustainable
development for SIDS.
Finally, a priority is to strengthen the
institutional framework for sustainable development to better meet the
needs of SIDS and find agreement to convene the Third Global Conference
for the Sustainable Development of SIDS in 2014.
To prepare SIDS delegations for Rio +20, AOSIS will provide SIDS
leadership and technical staff with the latest information on
scientific, economic, and social issues so that they can effectively
conduct outreach and advocate for SIDS priorities at the conference.
AOSIS looks to SIDSnet as a facilitation mechanism for meeting the
new and continuing challenges that SIDS face. As the new chair, we look
forward to building on the existing capacity of SIDSnet."
