Solomon Islands urges governments to reach consensus on sticking points at COP28

Over the next 24 hours, governments from around the world are expected to agree to a climate agreement here in the oil-rich country of the United Arab Emirates.

The Solomon Island delegation to the United Nations 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) on Climate change continues to pursue its strong stance in the Global Stocktake (GST), reiterating the need to ramp up predictable climate finance, ease of access mechanisms and keeping the 1.5 degrees Celsius alive.

Speaking to SIBC News, Deputy Director for Climate Change, Henry Tufah said most of the Solomon Islands key positions have been reflected in all the current draft texts agreed to by parties awaiting decision by the COP.

He said these priority areas include, loss and damage, climate finance, market and non-market mechanism, capacity building and technology transfer, transparency, gender and agriculture.

Tufah added there are still contentious issues amongst country parties with regards to some of our key positions, resulting in ‘no draft text’ for Mitigation Work Program (MWP), Global Stocktake and Global Goal on Adaptations (GGA). 

The Solomon Island Delegation is optimistic that the outstanding agenda items will have agreed texts before the closing plenary on Tuesday.

Thus far, the key milestone achieved from this COP, for Solomon Islands, was the decision by the COP with regards to the Loss and Damage Fund.

Speaking at a media conference today, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said “negotiators have a chance, right here in Dubai over the next 24 hours, to start a new chapter – one that really delivers for people and the planet”. 

“The highest climate ambition means more jobs, stronger economies, stronger economic growth, less pollution, better health,” Stiell said.

“A new text will be landed shortly, within the next few minutes.  But the areas where options need to be negotiated have narrowed significantly”. 

 “We are now here to discuss two issues. One – How high is our ambition on mitigation. And two – Are we willing to back this transition with the proper means of support to deliver it”. 

ENDS///

By Fredrick Kusu

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This story was produced as part of the 2023 Climate Change Media Partnership fellowship organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.