Fiji, Oct. 31 -- As COP29 approaches, the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa'olelei Luteru, sent a powerful message to climate negotiators, calling for unity and unwavering resolve among small island developing states.

"Our small island developing states are strong and unified in our positions," he said, following a year of intensive efforts capped by recent high-level meetings at the UN General Assembly.

With communities across the islands bracing for an unpredictable hurricane season, Luteru emphasised that the stakes couldn't be higher.

"The citizens of small island developing states are fraught with the fear that the next storm could completely dismantle their lives," he said.

"They ar...