THE ALLIANCE OF SMALL ISLAND STATES (AOSIS)

THE ALLIANCE OF Small Island States (AOSIS) is an umbrella lobby and negotiating body representing the interests of low-lying and small island states at the level of the United Nations. AOSIS has played an important role in shaping international climate change policy by ensuring that the concerns of small island developing states are represented on an international level.

Specifically, AOSIS has been a leading advocate for reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions. Operating on an ad hoc basis and primarily through the diplomatic missions of its member countries,

AOSIS has no formal charter, no regular budget, and no secretariat organizing the group's work. Decisions are made based on consultation with member states, with major policy decisions made in ambassadorial plenary sessions. The alliance operates on a consensus basis, requiring all members to be in agreement before a decision can be formalized.

The AOSIS member and observer states are heterogeneous. They vary along geographic, economic, social, linguistic, and political lines; yet despite these differences, they face many of the same development challenges, including their geographic isolation, small political voice, and limited economic clout. However, the characteristic that unites AOSIS states is their potential to be severely affected by climate change and sea-level rise. Though small island states produce relatively minute amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases, these countries will be profoundly affected by climate change, given their low elevations. As many of the countries participating in the alliance are located only a few meters above sea level, climate change and its effect on rising sea levels has historically been one of the key issues addressed by the alliance.

Traditionally, due to their weak political influence, small island states have had difficulty being heard internationally. As a result of their position within the international system, concerns specific to small island and low-lying states have often been lost amongst other international issues. AOSIS seeks to mitigate this situation by providing a collective voice for its members and applying greater pressure to the rest of the international community. As a group, small island states have a greater international voice and are in a better position to effect change than as individual negotiators. As a result, ASOSIS has increased the representation of small island developing states and lowland areas within the UN system.

Historically, AOSIS has favored and pursued legally-binding agreements or hard laws to address issues such as sea-level rise, while the remainder of the international community has generally favored soft law agreements, especially with regards to climate change and the environment more broadly. In this regard, AOSIS has led or been involved with numerous international treaties, conferences, and negotiations.

Aside from climate change negotiations, AOSIS has also lobbied for greater recognition of the special needs of small island developing states.

Caribbean Members

1. Antigua and Barbuda: Population: 99, 337, Capital: St. John’s
2. Bahamas: Population: 400, 516, Capital: Nassau
3. Barbados: Population: 287,025, Capital: Bridgestone
4. Belize: Population: 419, 199, Capital: Belmopan (Belize City largest city)
5. Cuba: Population: 11,181,595, Capital: Havana
6. Dominica: Population: 71,625, Capital: Roseau
7. Dominican Republic: Population: 10,878,246, Capital: Santo Domingo
8. Grenada: Population: 111, 454, Capital: St.George’s
9. Guyana: Population: 743, 700, Capital: Georgetown
10. Haiti: Population : 11, 439,646, Capital: Port-au-Prince
11. Jamaica: Population: 2,726,667, Capital: Kingston
12. Saint Kitts and Nevis: Population: 52,441, Capital: Basse terre
13. Saint Lucia: Population : 184,961, Capital: Castries
14. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Population: 110,211, Capital: Kingstown
15. Suriname: Population: 575,990, Capital: Paramaribo
16. Trinidad and Tobago: Population: 1,367,558, Capital: Port of Spain

Pacific Members

1. Cook Islands: Population: 17,459, Capital: Avarua
2. Federated States of Micronesia: Population: 104, 468, Capital: Palikir
3. Fiji: Population: 926,276, Capital: Suva
4. Kiribati: Population: 119, 940, Capital: South Tarawa on
5. Nauru: Population: 10,834, Capital: Yaren (Denigomodu largest city)
6. Palau: Population: 17,907, Capital: Ngerulmud (Koror largest city)
7. Papua New Guinea: Population: 8,935,000, Capital: Port Moresby
8. Republic of the Marshall Islands: Population: 58,413, Capital: Majuro
9. Samoa: Population: 202,506, Capital: Apia
10. Solomon Islands: Population: 652,587, Capital: Honiara
11. Timor Leste: Population: 1,340,513, Capital: Dili
12. Tonga: Population: 100, 209, Capital: Nuku’alofa
13. Tuvalu: Population: 11,900, Capital: Funafuti
14. Vanuatu: Population: 307,815, Capital: Port Vila

African, Indian Ocean and South China Sea Members

1. Cabo Verde: Population: 483,628, Capital: Praia
2. Comoros: Population: 850,886, Capital: Moroni
3. Guinea Bissau: 1,726,00, Capital: Bissau
4. Maldives: Population: 579,330, Capital: Malé
5. Mauritius: Population: 1,265,475, Capital: Port Louis
6. Sao Tome and Principe: Population: 211, 028, Capital: Sao Tomé
7. Seychelles: Population: 99,331, Capital: Victoria
8. Singapore: Population: 5,453,600 Singapore

Ranking by GDP (U.S. Billions) in 2022

1. Singapore: 396.995
2. Dominican Rep: 97.371
3. Papua New Guinea: 28.310
4. Trinidad & Tobago: 23.082
5. Haiti: 18.825
6. Jamaica: 15.630
7. Bahamas: 12.039
8. Mauritius: 11.954
9. Guyana: 9.837
10. Maldives: 5.296
11. Barbados: 5.142
12. Fiji: 5.010
13. Suriname: 2.937
14. Cabo Verde: 2.063
15. Belize: 2.062
16. Saint Lucia: 1.998
17. Solomon Islands: 1.798
18. Timor Leste: 1.782
19. Seychelles: 1.751
20. Guinea Bissau: 1.721
21. Antigua and Barbuda: 1.534
22. Comoros: 1.363
23. Grenada: 1.160
24. St Kitts and Nevis: 1.092
25. Vanuatu: 1.060
26. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 0.855
27. Samoa: 0.808
28. Dominica: 0.628
29. Sao Tomé and Principe: 0.573
30. Tonga: 0.540
31. Federated States of Micronesia: 0.417
32. Marshall Islands: 0.254
33. Kiribati: 0.245
34. Palau: 0.242
35. Nauru: 0.139
36. Tuvalu: 0.070