CANCC wants to move forward fast

Apia, 4 September 2014
Officials met at the Tokelau SIDS Engagement room, to discuss the way forward for the new Coalition of Atoll Nations on Climate Change (CANCC). Present were the Ambassador and Permanent Representative Kiribati Mission to the United Nations, Mrs Makurita Baaro; the Ambassador and Permanent Representative Tuvalu Mission to the UN, Mr Afelee F. Pita; with officials from Tuvalu, Kiribati and Tokelau. Other members of the Coalition are Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Maldives.

CANCC wants to make the most of global forum opportunities to promote its mission and foster partnering prospects. The newly established Coalition represents low-lying atoll nations in the world who are on the “frontline” of the impacts of climate change. CANCC should be considered as the “early warning system” for other nations given that more than 70% of human settlements and cities are built along coastal areas.

One of the first tasks required is to formalise and establish the structure and instruments by which CANCC operates. The meeting agreed that CANCC should make the most of global forum opportunities such as the UN Secretary General Climate Summit (23 Sept 2014), the UN General Assembly (24 Sept – 8 Oct 2014). The 10th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held from 1 to 12 December 2014 is also an important venue for CANCC to promote its mission and foster partnering prospects.
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The Kiribati delegation, headed energetically by Ambassador Makurita Baaro, in the Tokelau-SIDS Engagement room today.
 
Establishing a Climate Alert Fund is planned, to kick-start joint activities among the CANCC members. Meanwhile they can seek out partners who may want to contribute to the cause and mission of the CANCC.

A CANCC communications strategy will be developed to provide members with essential information. This can be used to advocate, and be included in, national statements in upcoming international forums. It will also ensure that the “brand” of CANCC is present and recognisable in the regional and global communities.

This meeting followed up an earlier breakfast meeting on 2 September, of the Leaders of CANCC. Here they tasked their Officials to make the best of the opportunity of being together in Samoa. They suggested to meet and progress the establishment of the coalition, and to identify key activities that can be implemented expeditiously in support of promoting CANCC as well as attracting interest from prospective partners.
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The Ulu of Tokelau (left), President Anote Tong of Kiribati (centre), minister De Braum from the Republic of Marshall Islands (right) and attendant at Amanaki Hotel on 2 September.