The Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and Permanent Representative of Nauru to United Nations, Ambassador Marlene Moses, paid a courtesy call on President James Michel this afternoon at State House. Mrs. Moses is in the country to attend the AIMS Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The President praised Ambassador Moses and Nauru for their leadership of AOSIS. He noted that AOSIS has strengthened its role in advancing the core positions of SIDS, while also defending their interests which are increasingly compromised by their increased vulnerability to the adverse effects of global climate change.
Following the opening of the AIMS Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) this morning, President Michel expressed his wish that SIDS work together through AOSIS to ‘claim ownership of the blue economy’, not only for SIDS but for the coastal countries.
“As island states, we can be a powerful force to really make our voices heard in the international community, we have to work together to achieve that. This meeting must try and achieve tangible and concrete action” said President Michel.
During the meeting they discussed areas in which they can collaborate and also the need to strengthen the institutional capacity of AOSIS.
Concepts such as the blue economy, debt for adaption swaps and renewable energy development are ones which require cooperation across oceanic spaces, and the Ambassador highlighted the willingness of her own country, and all AOSIS countries to work to ensure positive outcomes on these subjects in Samoa.
Ambassador Moses congratulated the President for his inspiring speech, one she has said has empowered her and set the tone for the meeting and that she is looking forward for the outcome. She had welcomed the idea of close collaboration with the Seychelles in order to push the Blue economy concept forward, highlighting that it is an important part of everyone’s life if they want sustainable development.
Ambassador Moses also thanked the Government of Seychelles for the support given to AOSIS and that it had always been able to depend on Seychelles through its Ambassador for Climate Change and Small Island Developing State Issues, Mr. Ronny Jumeau– and through its Permanent Mission of the Republic of Seychelles to the United Nations, Headed by Ambassador Marie-Louise Potter.
On speaking to the press after her meeting with President Michel, Ambassador Moses highlighted the importance for AIMS to work closely together with other sub-regional SIDS groupings for the betterment of the small island states.
“…It is important that the Alliance of the Small Island states, that comprises of 44 islands and the most vulnerable to have a place in the global agenda. It is important for the three regions of SIDS, the Caribbean, Pacific and AIMS come together and bring their objectives, aspirations and their vision to ensure that the quality of the their people’s lives are at an acceptable standard,” said Ambassador Moses.
Editor’s notes:
• Also present for the meeting was the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam and the President's Diplomatic Advisor, Ambassador Callixte D'Offay.
• The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) is a coalition of Small Island and low-lying coastal countries that share similar development challenges and concerns about the environment, especially their vulnerability to the adverse effects of global climate change. It functions primarily as an ad hoc lobby and negotiating voice for Small Island developing States (SIDS) within the United Nations system.
• Ambassador Marlene Moses has been the Permanent Representative to the United Nations for the Republic of Nauru since 2005. She also serves as Nauru’s Ambassador to the United States, Israel, Venezuela, and Cuba.
• AOSIS has a membership of 44 States and observers, drawn from all oceans and regions of the world and further grouped into three sub-regions- Caribbean, Pacific and AIMS (Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, South China Sea). Thirty-seven are members of the United Nations, close to 28 percent of developing countries, and 20 percent of the UN’s total membership. Together, SIDS communities constitute some five percent of the global population.