The Alliance of Small Island States Workshop on the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol took place in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands at the Outrigger Resort from 14-16 July 1999. The Workshop was organized and hosted by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It had over 50 participants, including country representatives from the small island states in the South Pacific, Indian Ocean, South China Sea, Mediterranean and Caribbean, experts from various UN and regional organizations, a representative from an environmental NGO and special invitees from the Philippines, Mauritania, the US, UK, Australia, Norway, New Zealand and Switzerland. Participants discussed elements of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol including assessment of vulnerability and adaptation, use of renewable energy in the design of mitigation projects under the CDM, and capacity building for AOSIS member states.

The participants adopted the Majuro Statement on Climate Change which will be brought to the attention inter alia, of the Fifth Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-5) in Bonn, 25 October-5 November 1999. The Statement highlighted domestic action in achieving the Protocol commitments; noted the need for the CDM to be a credible and viable Protocol mechanism; stressed the need for special capacity building initiatives in the least developed states and small island developing states; underscored the importance of vulnerability assessment and adaptation to the members of the AOSIS; and resolved to work together to coordinate donor activities and domestic priorities to more effectively address capacity building and adaptation needs of small island developing states.

The Majuro Statement on Climate Change

Participants at the opening of the AOSIS Workshop

Yumi Crisostomo (Marshall Islands) comments on the Marshall Islands experience in implementing the convention.