On the second day of the Conference, participants had to choose from a myriad of options: attend a High-level meeting on resource mobilization, continue hearing country statements in Plenary, or attend interactive dialogues. The opportunities for exchange helped deepen the conversation about climate-related perils faced by Small Island Developing States and the path set forth in the proposed Conference outcome document, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS).
Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.
During the morning’s High-level Meeting on Resource Mobilization, topics included eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, reforming financial architecture, and capitalizing the Green Climate Fund and Loss and Damage Fund.
During country statements, many hailed the recent advisory opinion on climate change from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and the request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on climate change responsibilities. On the ABAS, some highlighted its mention of fossil fuel subsidies, but felt it could have been stronger.
Several countries commented on the impact of conflicts in the Middle East and the Ukraine-Russia war. Papua New Guinea responded to the many condolences offered regarding the recent devastating landslide, saying, “It is a clear reminder of the vulnerabilities facing SIDS.”
In contrast to the country statements, the interactive dialogues offered more in-depth dives into specific topics: revitalizing SIDS’ economies for accelerated and sustainable growth; and enhancing critical forms of financing and aid effectiveness through collaborative partnerships.
The evening’s special event, a Private Sector Roundtable, brought together leaders from the private sector, island governments and development partners for a discussion on partnerships for resilient island economies.
While the conversations may have flowed, some participants felt the opportunity for SIDS to be heard was inadequate. Those present still have two more days at the Conference before the next 10-year gap begins between SIDS Conferences.
To receive free coverage of global environmental events delivered to your inbox, subscribe to the ENB Update newsletter.
All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For the 4th SIDS Conference, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB - Diego Noguera
Plenary
Jennifer Morgan, State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, Germany
Sewa Lamsal, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal
Kuiko Numoi, Department of Foreign Affairs, Papua New Guinea
Viriato Luís Soares Cassamá, Minister of Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Action, Guinea-Bissau
Febrian Irawati Mamesah, Indonesia
A participant takes a photo of Anders Adlercreutz, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Finland
Anders Adlercreutz, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Finland
Lasha Darsalia, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Georgia
Dace Melbārde, Member of the European Parliament
Paisan Rupanichkij, Thailand
Sergey Petrovich, Russian Federation
Interpreters during plenary
Amb. Christina Markus Lassen, Denmark
Amb. Carolyn Schwalger, New Zealand
The delegation from Guinea-Bissau
Amb. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Latvia, and Nikolaus Marschik, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Austria
Daryll Matthew, Minister of Education, Sport and Creative Industries, Antigua and Barbuda, and Payal Dwivedi, Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Center
Paisan Rupanichkij, Thailand, and Hajah Noor Qamar binti Haji Sulaiman, Brunei
Minna-Liina Lind, Estonia, and Andrejs Pildegovičs, Latvia
Amb. Teburoro Tito, Kiribati, and Amb. Omar Hilale, Morocco
Interactive Dialogue on Revitalising SIDS’ Economies for Accelerated and Sustainable Growth
Fireside Chat Moderator Achim Steiner, Administrator, UN Development Programme (UNDP)
Dialogue Co-Chair Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives
Dialogue Co-Chair Anders Adlercreutz, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Finland
Gaston Browne, President of the 4th SIDS Conference, and Fireside Chat Moderator Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator
Fireside Chat Moderator Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, and Debra Haaland, US Secretary of the Interior
Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Pavel Isa Contreras, Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, Dominican Republic
The dais during the Fireside Chat portion of the First Interactive Dialogue (L-R) Gaston Browne, President of the 4th SIDS Conference; Fireside Chat Moderator Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator; and Debra Haaland, US Secretary of the Interior
Delegates during the Interactive Dialogue
Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development, Trinidad and Tobago
Ali Shareef and Ahmed Salman Zaki, Maldives
Interactive Dialogue on Enhancing Critical Forms of Financing and Aid Effectiveness Through Collaborative Partnerships: A Conversation
Delegates during the Interactive Dialogue
The dais during the Fireside Chat portion of the Second Interactive Dialogue (L-R) María del Pilar Garrido Gonzalo, Director for Development Co-operation, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President, European Investment Bank (EIB); and Fireside Chat Moderator Dima Al-Khatib, Director, UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)
María del Pilar Garrido Gonzalo, Director for Development Co-operation, OECD
Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President, EIB
Jorge Moreira da Silva, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Fireside Chat Moderator Dima Al-Khatib, Director, UNOSSC
Bander Albazai, Saudi Arabia
Participants confer during the event
SIDS4 Private Sector Roundtable
The dais during the remarks by Everly Paul Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, Antigua and Barbuda
Delegates listen to the panelists
Around the Venue
Participants receive copies of the ENB from Teya Penniman (right)
A participant is interviewed during a break
