Small island states 'weren't in room' when deal agreed

19 12 2023 | 18:12Press / BBC

A delegate from Samoa said they were "a little confused" by the approval of the deal before the Alliance of Small Island States could join other delegates in the room. The alliance is a group of 39 island nations who are particularly vulnerable to climate change.

"It seems that you just gavelled the decisions when the small island states weren't in the room," she said. After reading a statement listing their objections to the text, the delegate received a standing ovation.