Delegations representing several developing countries walked out of consultations as the UN climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan goes into overtime without a deal to help the nation’s most at risk.

The Alliance of Small Island States and Least Developed Countries walked out as they felt the stalled New Collective Quantified Goal discussions were not offering a progressive way forward.

The second draft text has proposed developed countries should provide $250 billion per year by 2035 for developing countries to take climate action.

In a statement this evening Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States and Samoan Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Cedric Schuster said AOSIS remains committed to this process and are here in the spirit of good faith in multilateralism to secure the best deal that will protect not only the member countries, but the world from the worst impacts of climate change.

“We want nothing more than to continue to engage, but the process must be inclusive. If this cannot be the case, it becomes very difficult for us to continue our involvement here at COP29.”

He said Small island developing states and Least Developing Countries are among the very worst impacted by this climate crisis that they did not cause. 

The AOSIS Chair added that members found themselves continuously insulted by the lack of inclusion, and their calls are being ignored. 

He said across all packages, there is a deplorable lack of substance, especially as it relates to the special needs and circumstances of SIDS and LDCS. 

Schuster  said AOSIS key points on mitigation have also been ignored. 

“We need to see progress and follow up on the transition away from fossil fuels that we agreed to last year. We have been asked to forget all about that at this COP as though we are not in a critical decade and as though the 1.5C limit is not in peril.”

AOSIS called on Parties to respect the Paris Agreement, which holds developed countries to provide adequate assistance to developing countries and sets out SIDS and LDCs. 

“After this COP29 ends, we cannot just sail off into the sunset. We are literally sinking. Understand this – I am not exaggerating when I say our islands are sinking! How can you expect us to go back to the women, men, and children of our countries with a poor deal which will surely plunge them into further peril?”

He appealed to all countries to act with honour and not be remembered for contributing to a process which will go down as showing contempt for the world’s most vulnerable. 

“Let us all come together and show the world we are serious about being saviours, and commit to a deal that will redound to the benefit of us all.”

Fiji is a member of the AOSIS and the delegation is working overtime to ensure that the voices and the needs of Pacific Island countries are not ignored.

Deputy Prime Minister and Fiji’s Head of Delegation Professor Biman Prasad everyone is committed in having an agreement and feels that there will be an agreement on climate finance.

He said it is in everyone’s interest to work out and agreement that everyone can live with.