COP31: Mauritius calls for stronger collective island action on climate change

Ahead of COP31, Mauritius calls for stronger collective action among island nations to address the growing impacts of climate change, with President of the Republic, Mr Dharam Gokhool, urging island States to strengthen their common voice, improve access to predictable and accessible climate finance, and turn climate commitments into concrete action and results.

Speaking at the close of the two-day Indian Ocean Islands Regional Climate Dialogue at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis, yesterday, President Gokhool stressed that closer cooperation among Indian Ocean, Pacific, Caribbean and African island States is essential to advancing climate resilience and ensuring that the priorities and concerns of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are more effectively reflected in global climate negotiations.

The Dialogue, themed ‘Building Collective Advocacy and Strengthening Cooperation with Other Island Regions’, aimed to strengthen preparedness for COP31 and future climate negotiations while fostering regional and inter-regional cooperation. Discussions highlighted the need for a stronger common island voice, sustained coordination beyond climate conferences, improved access to climate finance, knowledge and experience-sharing, capacity building, and greater cooperation on ocean and climate resilience. Participants also emphasised translating regional dialogue into practical programmes and sustained collective action.

Representatives from Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar and Réunion Island, alongside representatives of the African Island States Climate Commission, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, the African Group of Negotiators and the Alliance of Small Island States participated in the Dialogue.

President Gokhool underlined that while climate change affects all countries, SIDS face particularly acute impacts, thus the need for adequate, predictable and accessible climate finance, stronger adaptation and resilience measures, and effective responses to loss and damage. He called for stronger cooperation among Indian Ocean, Pacific, Caribbean and African island States, stressing that coordinated positions and knowledge-sharing can amplify their influence in international climate negotiations.

Speaking about COP31, he highlighted that climate commitments must move beyond pledges on paper to concrete action that improves people’s lives, while the transition towards clean energy and green economies should protect livelihoods, promote equity and leave no community behind. He moreover emphasised that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is of critical importance to island nations, as climate change directly threatens their coastlines, water and food security, livelihoods, infrastructure and economies.

In a video message, the Australian High Commissioner to Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Kate Chamley, outlined the importance of building a collective voice for Indian Ocean islands and connecting it with other African SIDS as well as Pacific and Caribbean Island States. She indicated that the priorities and partnerships emerging from the Dialogue will contribute to discussions leading to COP31 and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to ensuring that the voices of island and coastal nations are heard in global climate discussions.

For his part, the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission, Dr Ibrahim Norbert Richard, stressed that cooperation among island States must become a systematic political priority. He pointed out the need to develop common positions on climate finance, projects and technology, and strength links with Pacific and Caribbean islands, while calling for joint advocacy and greater visibility for Indian Ocean islands at future climate conferences.

30 September 2026

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Topics: Multilateral Cooperation, Climate Change