Tag: AOSIS

Maldives presides over first AOSIS plenary session as chair

The Maldives has presided over its first session as chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in New York.

“As one of the founding members of AOSIS, it is a great honour to assume this stewardship role on what is the eve of the coalition’s twenty-fifth anniversary, and also during a critical year for international efforts to address sustainable development and climate change,” said Ambassador Ahmed Sareer, the Maldives’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that the Maldives’ time as chair will see continued discussions to define the post-2015 development agenda as well as the crucial COP 21 talks in Paris this December, which will seek to decide upon a new framework for a legally binding agreement on climate change.

“Political momentum for action on these urgent issues is building and the Maldives is committed doing everything we can to seize this opportunity to improve the quality of life for island people and all vulnerable communities around the world,” continued Sareer, the group’s chair.

In a message to the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon noted that this will present an opportunity for AOSIS to “maneuver”.

“This is the time for AOSIS countries to make the most crucial decisions for the future of our people. And the Maldives is honoured to have been entrusted with this esteemed groups’ leadership at this crucial time,” said Dunya.

Formed of 39 low-lying coastal and small island countries, the alliance focuses primarily on issues of vulenerability – particularly in reference to the effects of climate change. It functions as a lobby group within the UN system, of which its members make up 20 percent.

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Maldives elected chair of Alliance of Small Island States

The Maldives has been elected as the next Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) during a ministerial meeting in the Seychelles.

“The Maldives spearheaded the efforts to form AOSIS, following the first ever Small States Conference held in the Maldives in November 1989,” explained a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Formed of 39 low-lying coastal and small island countries, the alliance focuses primarily on issues of vulenerability – particularly in reference to the effects of climate change. It functions as a lobby group within the UN system, of which its members make up 20 percent.

Speaking at the 3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Samoa in September, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – present at the first 1989 AOSIS meeting – called on Alliance of Small Island States to make climate change its “core issue of concern”.

2014 has been made the ‘Year of the Small Island Developing States’ by the UN as an opportunity for the international community to raise awareness of the challenges facings SIDs.

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