Seychelles chairs African island states high-level meeting at 37th AU summit |19 February 2024

Minister Joubert (centre) speaking at the African Island States high-level meeting (Photo: Contributed)

On the sidelines of the 37th African Union Summit, Seychelles chaired the African Island States high-level meeting as recommended during the ministerial meeting at COP 28.

Directed by the Africa Island States Climate Commission (AISCC) secretariat and its partners, under the leadership of the AISCC chair (Seychelles), the inaugural summit was aimed to foster stronger cooperation among African island states for a thriving and resilient future.

This significant gathering took place on Friday February 16, amidst the 37th ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union.

The meeting convened high-level representatives and delegations from AISCC member states to assess the operationalisation status of the AISCC and provide their direction for the advancement of this commission.

The event consisted of two panel discussions – one featuring the head of delegations of the AISCC moderated by Minister Flavien Joubert, and another with representatives of development partners moderated by Nassim Oulmane, director of the technology climate change and natural resource management division, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca).

The main objectives of this high-level event were to advance the African islands' agenda through the AISCC as a coordinating entity that supports island states, help them in the preparations for the 4th International Sids conference, and bring together member States’ delegates, experts, and relevant partners to accelerate the operationalisation of the AISCC.

It was also to highlight the key achievements of the AISCC’s annual report which will be presented at the committee of heads of State and government on climate change (CAHOSCC) meeting, present an update on the AISCC readiness project RESIslands, funded by GCF and delivered by Uneca, and lastly to share to a wider audience the work of AISCC.

In his opening statement, Minister Joubert, representing the Seychelles’ president and chair of the AISCC, President Wavel Ramkalawan, highlighted that Seychelles was prepared and committed to work with international communities strongly, and decisively combating this climate crisis, with ambitious ocean climate action, comprehensive protection of biodiversity and advocating for sustainable development, especially in small islands developing states and developing countries.

“Collaborations with ambition to remain the bedrock of our relationship and as African islands and African countries to more and more explore ways for us to mutually assist each other to enhance our resilience to climate change. The possibilities for us to corporate, to create stronger islands that are resilient are there, we need to step up our action and make use of the resourcefulness that exist in Africa and its islands,” said Minister Joubert.

“At this 37th AU Summit we should demonstrate that islands despite being the victims of climate deregulations can also lead the way on several issues, critical for the development of Africa such as the development of the blue economy, and also that islands can be an important voice of advocacy for Africa on climate change,” he added.

Following the opening ceremony with representatives of the AU, CAHOSCC, and AISCC, member states shared their perspectives and guidance to strengthen the AISCC.

Subsequently, key AISCC partners reiterated their commitments to support the commission. During the latter part of the meeting, representatives from the African Union Commission and the UN outlined the way forward, emphasising the importance of access to financing, mechanisms to facilitate access, and capacity building.

The next official meeting of the AISCC is scheduled for October 2024, preceding COP29.

The African Union Summit decision on Africa’s engagement in the global climate change negotiations at UNFCCC COP 22, was adopted during the 28th Ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union held in January 2017.

The decision welcomes the establishment of three commissions dedicated to island states chaired by Seychelles, the Sahel region chaired by Niger, and the Congo Basin region chaired by Congo. It also stresses the importance of ensuring full coordination and cooperation with then committee of the African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC).

Since then, the national focal points of the African Island States Climate Commission (AISCC) and partners have been actively working to operationalise the commission and consolidate its work.

Press release from MACCE