RAOEN shares this article by the Pacific Islands Forum that facilitated a pre-COP28 workshop. The forum is composed of 18 members in the Oceania region representing the interests of its members and works to foster cooperation between governments and collaboration with international agencies.
Climate negotiators from the Pacific Small Island Developing States, along with technical advisers, convened in Samoa for a pre-COP28 workshop as a crucial step in preparing the Pacific region for the climate negotiations in Dubai, UAE.
The participants focused on key regional priorities, including Loss and Damage, Climate Finance, Just Transition, Gender and Social Inclusion, Oceans, Mitigation and Adaptation. An important item for COP28 will be the first Global Stocktake, seen by many as the opportunity to ‘course correct” as the world struggles to meet the Paris Agreement 1.5 degrees C temperature goal.
During the meeting, they received a message from the UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Mr Simon Stiell, who emphasized the moral authority of Pacific leaders in addressing climate change and the significance of their representation at COP28.
Delegates also had a virtual engagement with Ms. Hana AlHashimi, a high-level representative from the COP28 President, who shared the priorities of the COP28 President and appreciated the active involvement of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Pacific leaders, and ministers at the recent UN General Assembly.
The workshop was organized by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme with support from regional partners, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Pacific Community (formerly the South Pacific Commission).