As COP26 is in its final hours in Glasgow, Scotland, negotiations and discussions are still underway to foster agreements meeting the goals of the climate conference. Vulnerable and developing countries in the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), are making their voices heard as a network of 39 member states situated in low-lying coastal areas, with the most to lose due to their sizes, geographical locations and economic conditions.
Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis has been designated as the AOSIS Ministerial Champion on Transparency Issues, representing the 39 member states from the Caribbean, the Pacific, the African, Indian Ocean and South China Sea in bilateral discussions with various Parties in Glasgow. In this regard, Minister Robinson-Regis has met with Minister Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment of Antigua and Barbuda and Professor John Shaw of New Zealand; who are COP26 co-chairs and will both report directly to the President of COP26 on the outcomes of their discussions regarding transparency.
According to Minister Robinson-Regis, transparency issues are a key element which forms the backbone of the Paris Agreement. In July of this year, the United Nations Development Programme stated only 11 countries had reported their progress regarding their climate contributions through the submission of their Biennial Update Reports. Minister Robinson-Regis adds that if countries do not take efforts to become transparent about their climate contributions, we will not be able to move from planning to action, and our fight against climate change may be futile.
Minister Robinson-Regis’ aim as the AOSIS Ministerial Champion is to make the voices of the small island regions heard in Glasgow.
Minister Robinson-Regis also met with the United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg with the conversations focusing on possible joint actions the United States and Trinidad and Tobago can undertake to boost each other’s climate action efforts.
In a separate meeting with the Hon. Geffrey B. Wever, Minister of Economic Affairs, Communications and Sustainable Development of the Government of Aruba, Minister Robinson-Regis shared views on the challenges faced by small island developing states in the region and possible means of cooperation between Aruba and Trinidad and Tobago.