The Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) believe the process at COP28 is not in the spirit of multilateralism and they will not sign a death certificate, said the Chair of AOSIS, Samoa's Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster.

He was joined by several other AOSIS Ministers at a press conference in Dubai which included Minister John Silk of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Minister Gustav Aitaro of Palau, Milagros De Camps of the Dominican Republic and Mona Ainu’u of Niue.

AOSIS is not happy with the draft text used in the COP28 Presidency’s Global Stocktake.

“As SIDS, we feel our voices are not being heard, while it appears that several other Parties have enjoyed preferential treatment, compromising the transparency and inclusivity of the process,” said Toeolesulusulu as he read out a statement.

“We are greatly concerned that this lack of a platform to air our views has resulted in weak language that will obliterate our chances of maintaining the 1.5°C warming limit. Our red line is a strong commitment to keeping the 1.5c warming limit. Any text that compromises 1.5 will be rejected.

“If we do not have strong mitigation outcomes at this COP, then this will be remembered as the COP where 1.5 would have died. This should not be the legacy of this UAE COP.”

Toeolesulusulu said that paragraph 39 of the GST text draft includes weak language on fossil fuels is completely insufficient. It does not refer to a phase out at all. It presents a menu of options that states “could” take.

“Could is unacceptable. States must take action on fossil fuel phase out. Finance and mitigation must go hand in hand. Developed countries must lead because they have the resources to do so, we call on major economies to take the lead here in finance flows,” said Toeolesulusulu.

“We will not sign our death certificate. We cannot sign on to text that does not have strong commitments on phasing out fossil fuels.  We have been asked throughout this process, what is at stake if these negotiations do not return a strong outcome that Keeps 1.5 Alive.

“How can you not understand – it is our very survival that is at stake? This is why in every room, our negotiators have been pushing tirelessly for decisions that align with staying under 1.5 degrees of warming. That is why if Parties continue to oppose the phase out of fossil fuels and fossil fuel subsidies, they must stop and question their own commitment to this process.”

According to Toeolesulusulu, big emitters continue to serve an antiquated industry which is responsible for over 90 per cent of current carbon dioxide emissions and rising.

“We will never stop fighting for a future where our people cannot just survive but thrive. Because as a result of the actions of big emitters, we have no choice.

“And we remind you yet again – our small island developing states are on the frontlines of this climate crisis, but if you continue prioritizing profit over people, you are putting your own future on the line.

“We call on our allies to support our call and stand with us to keep 1.5 alive.”