UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the host of the COP29 climate summit in Baku, called on November 13 for more to be done to address the plight of small island states. 

Small island states, comprising 39 geographically small territories, are the most susceptible to environmental disasters. The UN has repeatedly tried to draw the world’s attention to their situation; however, interest from developed countries has remained insufficient.

Speaking at the Summit of Leaders of Small Island Developing States on November 13, Guterres argued that small island states are at the forefront of a monumental injustice: due to rising sea levels, their very future is at risk. He stressed the need for a new climate finance goal to mobilise the trillions of dollars necessary for developing nations.

The challenges faced by small island states is one of Azerbaijan’s priorities at COP29, said Aliyev, stressing that the voices of these countries must be heard on the global stage.

Aliyev pointed out that climate change affects every country, including Azerbaijan. The Caspian Sea is receding, rivers are drying up, snow in the mountains is diminishing, and the country is experiencing unusual rains and floods. However, for small island developing states, climate change poses an existential threat.

Droughts and rising ocean levels

According to Nature Climate Change, by mid-century, up to 73% of these countries, with a combined population of around 16mn people, could face intensified droughts, while rising ocean levels may lead to coastal erosion. The UN estimates that annual losses could reach up to 20% of all social expenditures.

Since 1900, the average ocean level has risen by approximately 21cm, with an annual increase of 3.2mm — 2.5 times faster than a decade ago. In some regions, the sea has risen by 15-20cm. Rising water levels are primarily due to glacier melting and global warming, driven by human activity. Even if emissions were stopped today, sea levels would rise by at least 30cm by 2100 compared to 2000, and, in the worst case, by 2.5 metres, potentially submerging many island nations.

Scientists have recorded the lowest levels of sea ice in Antarctica in history. Tuvalu, a Pacific state with a population of around 11,400, is under the greatest threat, potentially disappearing entirely in the next 50-100 years. A similar fate awaits the Maldives, 80% of whose territory is only one metre above sea level. Small island states face not only the risk of submersion but also freshwater shortages, drought, coastal erosion, and hunger. For instance, a 50cm sea-level rise would strip Grenada and Caribbean states of up to 60% of their beaches, severely impacting their tourism-dependent economies.

Climate change is driving an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, which is particularly harsh for small island states lacking resources to combat these crises. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm, devastated the Bahamas, and in 2015, Cyclone Pam left 45% of Tuvalu’s population homeless and nearly destroyed homes in Vanuatu.

The Azerbaijani president also drew attention to the consequences of neocolonial policies by some countries, including France, and the legacy of the colonial era. He recalled the 193 nuclear tests conducted by France in Polynesia and 17 tests in Algeria from 1960 to 1996. In 2025, it will be 65 years since France’s first nuclear test in Algeria, which left long-term negative impacts on local residents’ health and regional ecology.

Financing change 

Financing to tackle the impact of climate change on small island states is a particularly pressing issue, as highlighted under Azerbaijan’s presidency at COP29. 

In May this year, the leaders of the Bahamas, Tonga, and Tuvalu visited Azerbaijan and signed the Baku Communique, underscoring the importance of accessible climate financing. Aliyev also mentioned that in September, significant progress was made in Baku towards establishing a Loss and Damage Fund, with Azerbaijan committing $10mn to support joint projects with small island states.

At COP29, Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s steadfast support for these states: “We have provided aid to many countries affected by natural disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. We have also contributed to food security and cultural heritage preservation. Many small island states have benefited from our scholarship programs, with their citizens studying in Azerbaijani universities,” Aliyev noted. 

Throughout its four-year chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan has provided financial and humanitarian aid to over 80 countries, including 20 small island states.

As small island states confront rising sea levels, extreme weather and resource shortages, Azerbaijan’s leadership at COP29 underscores the urgent need for major economies to channel greater resources into sustainable solutions. By increasing climate investments and sharing technology and expertise, these states can help mitigate the devastating effects of climate change, promoting resilience and a sustainable future for the most vulnerable.