Antigua and Barbuda, as a member of CARICOM, is tackling the climate crisis
and strengthening its economic engagements and commercial ties to stimulate
inclusive growth and a green economic transition.
That is according to Foreign Minister E.P. Chet Greene, speaking on behalf of
Antigua and Barbuda at the 2 nd Voices of the Global South Summit in India, last
weekend.
The foreign minister said the country aims to be climate resilient – this would
include support for adaptation, biodiversity, nature-based solutions, and
opportunities within the ocean economy.
“Climate Change remains the largest threat to the sustainable development of
Antigua and Barbuda, and the rest of the Caribbean Region. CARICOM countries
like other Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States continue to
advocate for elevated and concerted actions, to limit the global increase of
temperatures to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, instead of 2 degrees relative to
preindustrial levels,” he stated.
Greene noted that going into COP 28, mitigation outcomes should be robust and in
line with the science to keep 1.5 degrees within reach. In this regard, Antigua and
Barbuda, he added, underscores that major economies should be urged to increase
near-term or 2030 ambition and develop action plans in line with the science since
implementation of such actions remains critical to keep 1.5°C alive.
The minister drew attention to the lack of finance for small developing states to
undertake the transition to green energy that is now required. “Another issue of
utmost concern for the small and vulnerable economies is the lack of climate
finance to adequately match the needs and priorities of developing states. While
the Technical Synthesis Report addresses the failure of developed countries, to
achieve the delivery of 100 billion of climate finance by 2020, it does not provide
any basis for recommendations to developed countries to deliver on the goal and to
close the gaps in the shortfall of funding from 2020 to date. Neither does it address
the need for developed countries to further scale up finance to achieve the 100
billion goals before 2025,” he explained.
A note from the India High Commission in Guyana said the overarching theme of
the 2 nd Voice of the Global South Summit was ‘together, for everyone’s growth,
with, everyone’s trust.’ It said the agenda and the deliberations of the foreign
ministers’ session of the summit focused on the theme ‘Global South and One
Development.’
