YESI Co-host Small Island Developing States at COP26 Debate

On the 14 October keynote speakers and experts from the think tank iDERA (International Development Empowerment and Representation Agency) and the York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI) joined representatives from the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and other guest experts, to discuss the key priorities for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) ahead of the November 2021 global climate negotiations.

"The current emissions reduction policies are not sufficient to secure a climate safe future for all, and in fact will lead to devastating impacts for SIDS. Time is running out, only through bold and collective action can COP26 secure such a future." iDERA

The webinar aimed to contribute to AOSIS’ coherent and more effective engagement at COP26 by:

• Pooling together SIDS’ messaging to clearly articulate their priority positions, similar to their coordinated approach at the Paris Conference.
• Give AOSIS members an opportunity to comment on the articulated positions presented by iDERA and other experts. 
• Providing recommendations on tactical or strategy approaches that can be adopted by SIDS going into COP26.

Moderated by H.E. Ambassador Edwin Laurent Edwin, discussants included: 

• Professor Henrice Altink, Co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre (IGDC), University of York
• Dr Matthew Bishop, Founding managing editor of the Caribbean Journal of International Relations & Diplomacy, University of Sheffield
• Dr Emily Wilkinson, Senior Research Fellowk, ODI Global Risks and Resilience Programme
• H.E. Ambassador Cosmos Richardson, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Saint Lucia to the United Nations
• H.E. Ambassador Satyendra Prasad, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations
• H. E. J. D. Koonjul, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Mauritius to the United Nations
• H. E. Carlos Fuller, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Belize to the United Nations

Following the webinar discussions iDERA produced a short 4 page Aide Memoire outlining the critical outcomes needed to be achieved by SIDS at COP26 and some key steps on how they may be pursued.

1. Survival of Small Islands: Will COP26 Deliver? and
2. The Crucial Role of Private Finance and the Private Sector in SIDS' Green Transition: The COP26 Agenda and Beyond, a summary of iDERA's second follow up policy paper which is soon to be published (at www.ideraltd.com under 'Our Work' and 'Articles') focused on SIDS' private green finance agenda.