Today I chaired the first public meeting of the new All Party Parliamentary Group on Small Island States (SIDS). It was great to be joined by Zac Goldsmith Minister for the Pacific and the Environment, and by former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), to discuss the UK’s commitment to vulnerable nations and what SIDS need from upcoming climate negotiations, including the COP26 climate summit.

It was particularly interesting to hear about the role natural climate solutions can play, such as rebuilding the coral reefs rather than filling the sea with concrete flood defences, and about the difficulties SIDS face in switching to renewable energy sources, as well as questions about deep-sea mining, tuna fishing, the UN Global Oceans Treaty, support for St Vincent following the recent volcanic eruptions, and more.

The full recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6quy6xbqdRc