Disaster in Tuvalu

Disaster in Tuvalu is a two-round negotiation simulation to introduce concepts of crafting mandates and navigating the tensions inherent when negotiating on behalf of someone else. The simulation’s structure allows participants to experience both internal negotiations (Round 1), where they must determine a mandate and formulate clear and effective instructions for a negotiator within their respective country teams, and subsequently external negotiations (Round 2) where participants switch their role and become the chief negotiators. They must come to an agreement based on instructions that were drafted by a different team.

At the heart of this simulation is Tuvalu’s need for financial assistance to address immediate disaster relief and long-term climate resilience. The US has committed to providing aid. However, the timing of the event, just shortly before an important international climate negotiation, links discussions about providing immediate financial relief to the broader demands of establishing long-term disaster relief funding vehicles. Tuvalu aims to negotiate additional commitments for a new funding vehicle that addresses such losses and damages induced by climate related disasters. The US tries to limit any such connection. Together, the parties need to decide on

• Funding: how much money will be paid and for which purpose,
• Funding source(s): whether the funding will come from climate related vehicles or not,
• Linkage to Loss and Damages: whether at the upcoming multilateral climate negotiation there will be a discussion about permanent funding vehicles and recognition of responsibility for climate related losses,
• A press release: whether the parties will publish a press release, what it mentions and whether they will do so separately or together.

Additionally, China has extended an alternative aid offer, introducing geopolitical considerations into the negotiation process.