Comoros President Azali Assoumani addressed the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on November 11, emphasizing the need for adapted climate financing mechanisms for island nations. He highlighted the vulnerability of island states, including the Comoros, to climate change effects such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and intensifying cyclones. Assoumani stressed that these threats are not distant but a daily reality for the archipelago.
Assoumani presented the Comoros' development strategy, which focuses on the blue economy, sustainable fishing, marine ecosystem protection, renewable energy, and responsible tourism. He emphasized that the ocean is both a vulnerability and a future for the Comoros. The president also recalled the country's efforts to mobilize resources for development, including a 2019 conference in Paris that aimed to secure funding for the Comoros' $5.2 billion development plan.
The Comoros president expressed disappointment over the delay in concretizing financial commitments from wealthier nations, particularly the $1.3 trillion annual mobilization goal by 2035 to support developing countries in their climate transition and address losses and damages. Assoumani also mentioned the various shocks that have affected the Comoros' financial mobilization capacities, including Cyclone Kenneth in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic repercussions of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
To facilitate access to climate financing for island states, Assoumani proposed revising international resource allocation criteria to better account for beneficiary countries' vulnerability. He argued that per capita income is insufficient to measure the difficulties faced by small island states, which are highly exposed to natural disasters and climate change consequences. Assoumani also suggested that multilateral development banks should consider the specific constraints of island territories.
Assoumani recommended that multilateral development banks take into account the constraints of insularity, including limited markets, high costs, geographical distance, and strong external dependence. He welcomed the creation of a new department within the African Development Bank focused on island-related issues. The president also proposed establishing a special fund and using ecological taxation mechanisms to enhance resources for environmental protection and climate adaptation.
Assoumani emphasized the importance of an equitable and solidarity-based international response to address the climate crisis. He recalled the Nairobi Declaration, which established a common African position on climate issues, and the Moroni Declaration for ocean and climate action in Africa, which prioritizes island and coastal states in the continent's climate agenda. The Comoros aims to continue advocating for these positions.
The Comoros president concluded his address by stressing that access to financing is crucial for island nations like the Comoros. He called on the international community to support the country's efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change. Assoumani's proposals aim to enhance the global response to the climate crisis and ensure that island nations receive the necessary support to adapt and mitigate its impacts.
Key points
- Comoros President Azali Assoumani calls for revised climate financing mechanisms that account for island nations' vulnerability.
- The president proposes establishing a special fund and using ecological taxation mechanisms to support environmental protection and climate adaptation.
- Assoumani emphasizes the importance of an equitable and solidarity-based international response to address the climate crisis.
