Foreign Ministers from small island developing States have raised their concerns about international efforts to combat global warming, achieve energy efficiency and boost trade to protect susceptible countries from environmental and economic shocks during the opening session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in September.

These Ministers highlighted their vulnerability to the impact of climate change, in some cases due to sea-level rise and in others due to the thawing of ice caps and the consequent loss of land mass. The vulnerability of some States’ economies, given their dependence on export trade, was also noted. Among the items proposed to remedy these issues were: the establishment of a global renewable energy and energy efficiency fund; the resumption of the suspended WTO talks; the establishment of early warning systems; and more partnerships for development within regional groups and between nations.
Links to further information
UN news releases:
27 September 2006
26 September 2006
22 September 2006