SB64
The Bonn Climate Conference (SB64) concluded with limited progress on many of the issues most important to island communities. While negotiations continued across adaptation, finance, mitigation, and technology, several key discussions stalled, leaving significant decisions to be resolved at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), represented through the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the pace of negotiations is not matching the urgency of the climate crisis.
AOSIS and LDCs Deliver Joint Warning
On June 16th, a joint press conference was held between AOSIS and the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group.
Speaking on behalf of the LDCs, Chair Milena Maria da Costa Rangel of Timor-Leste emphasised the close partnership between AOSIS and LDCs and warned that progress across several negotiating tracks remains too slow.
Both groups highlighted three priorities:
1. Keeping 1.5°C Alive
AOSIS and the LDCs stressed that 1.5°C remains a "lifeline" for vulnerable countries.
They expressed concern that current global mitigation efforts remain far below what is needed and warned against attempts to weaken the role of science in climate decision-making.
For islands, rising temperatures translate directly into stronger storms, sea level rise, coral reef loss, coastal erosion, and increasing pressure on livelihoods and infrastructure.
2. Climate Finance Must Be Delivered
AOSIS and the LDCs warned that declining climate finance is already affecting their ability to respond to climate impacts.
The groups called for:
Meaningful progress toward the agreed goal of mobilising $300 billion annually by 2035.
Delivery of the commitment to triple adaptation finance.
Improved access to climate finance for vulnerable countries.
Strong replenishment of climate funds that support adaptation and resilience.
3. Adaptation Must Move Beyond Discussion
AOSIS and the LDCs repeatedly emphasised that adaptation is more than a technical discussion.
They called for:
Operationalising the Global Goal on Adaptation.
Delivery of adaptation finance commitments.
Improved accountability for implementation.
Practical support for vulnerable communities already experiencing climate impacts.
What Happened in the Negotiations?
Several issues of particular importance to islands saw limited progress.
Mitigation
Negotiations on the Mitigation Work Programme stalled.
AOSIS argued that the programme is one of the few formal spaces where countries can discuss how to increase ambition and implement the outcomes of the Global Stocktake. No substantive outcome was agreed, meaning discussions will continue at COP31.
Adaptation
Talks on the Global Goal on Adaptation proved particularly difficult.
AOSIS described the outcome as "completely unacceptable" and expressed concern that trust in the process had diminished. Pacific SIDS and other vulnerable countries warned that delays on adaptation negotiations directly affect communities already facing climate impacts.
Climate Finance
Island states continued to push for:
Greater access to adaptation finance.
Implementation of the New Collective Quantified Goal.
Increased grant-based funding.
Better support for loss and damage and resilience-building.
However, many finance discussions made little substantive progress.
Science and 1.5°C
AOSIS repeatedly defended the role of science throughout the conference.
Island negotiators expressed concern about attempts by some parties to challenge established scientific findings, particularly regarding climate risks, overshoot scenarios, and the urgency of keeping warming below 1.5°C.
Looking Ahead to COP31
Despite frustrations in Bonn, islands succeeded in maintaining pressure on key issues.
As negotiations move toward COP31 in Antalya, AOSIS and island leaders will likely focus on:
Keeping 1.5°C at the centre of climate negotiations.
Securing increased climate finance.
Delivering practical adaptation outcomes.
Ensuring implementation of Global Stocktake commitments.
Protecting the integrity of climate science.
