26 September 2009: The UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) annual high-level debate heard several leaders of small island developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs) focusing on climate change.

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, stressed that the Copenhagen Conference outcome should reflect the commitment to ensure adequate and easy access to financing for adaptation, and affordable and sustainable technology transfer options to developing countries, in particular LDCs. Sheikh Hasina also called for a legal regime under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to provide for the social, cultural and economic rehabilitation of climate-induced displaced migrants. She noted that Bangladesh is prone to river bank erosion, landslides, soil degradation and deforestation, which are already causing millions of climate change refugees in the country.
The Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Denzil L. Douglas, highlighted the vulnerabilities of small island developing States, which he said are being hard-hit by the economic and climate change crisis. The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuila’epa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, indicated that member States should not engage in blame and shame tactics at the climate negotiations and noted that the Copenhagen Conference will be a test of multilateral solidarity. The Prime Minister of Tonga, Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele, called for a reduction of wasteful energy consumption. The Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Apisai Ielemia, noted that the Copenhagen negotiations have increased the expectations for an agreement to reduce overall emissions by 2015, with strong commitments from developed countries to support poor countries in building up their resilience to climate change. [UN News Centre] [UN News Centre] [UN News Centre]