Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, Michael Joseph participated in ministerial discussions of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), calling for the 1.5°C goal and the needs of Small Island Developing States to remain central to preparations for COP31 earlier today.

Ministers discussed the Just Transition Mechanism, adaptation indicators, the Mitigation Work Programme, and ways to improve access to climate finance, including grants and concessional financing. They also examined the growing threats that sea-level rise and climate change pose to water security, food systems and fisheries across island states.

Minister Joseph supported the call for AOSIS members to bring concrete proposals on mitigation, finance and just transition to the upcoming discussions in Sydney and Fiji.

Photo Courtesy: Andy Liburd