Issues of adaptation to climate change and sea level rise is crucial to the very survival of many AIMS countries

Ministry of Environment and Energy
“The issues of adaptation to climate change and sea level rise is viewed as crucial to the very survival of many AIMS countries which are mainly small islands states.” This statement was made in a discussion between the Minister for Environment and Energy, Professor Rolph Payet and the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, AOSIS, Ambassador Marlene Moses.
In a meeting held this morning at the Minister’s Secretariat, Minister Payet expressed satisfaction that under Ambassador Moses’ leadership, AOSIS has remained true to, and steadfast in advancing its core principles and positions, often in the face of stiff resistance. Minister Payet also reiterated Seychelles’ continuing strong and committed support to AOSIS and its Chair, Ambassador Moses.
In their discussions, both Minister Payet and Ambassador Moses agreed that AIMS countries should play a more prominent role in international climate change negotiations and increase synergies with the G77 and China to attract more funding to address adaptation strategies. The Minister for Environment and Energy, Professor Payet also took the opportunity on behalf of the Seychelles Government to congratulate Ambassador Moses on her leadership of AOSIS at a particular challenging time in the climate change negotiations when the world is struggling to reach a new legally binding climate agreement by 2015.
Ambassador Moses who is also the Permanent Representative to the United Nations for the Republic of Nauru, is in Seychelles to attend the Sub-Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which Seychelles is hosting from the 17th to the 19th of July 2013 at Kempinski Resort, Baie Lazare.
Editor’s Note:
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.