Montego Bay, Jamaica July 7, 2025 (PMO) — Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, delivered a powerful intervention during the plenary session of the 49th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), urging regional leaders to stand firm and unified in their language and advocacy on climate change.
Addressing his fellow Heads of Government, Prime Minister Drew cautioned against the growing pressure to dilute the Caribbean’s climate messaging to appease powerful industrial nations. He emphasized that changing the region’s language to make it more “convenient” for those responsible for global emissions threatens to undermine the Caribbean’s moral authority and advocacy on the global stage.
“We must continue to use the proper diction, the words that convict exactly what we are facing,” Prime Minister Drew stated. “If we water down our advocacy to suit those with more interest in protecting themselves than helping us, we will lose the power of our voice. This is not just about survival, it’s about justice.”
Dr. Drew drew historical parallels to colonialism and longstanding global injustices faced by the Caribbean region, including the exploitation surrounding the sugar and banana industries, the struggle for reparations, and inequitable trade practices. He warned that the same patterns are now being repeated in the climate space.
“This is not the first time the Caribbean has been asked to quiet its voice in the name of diplomacy. But history has taught us the cost of silence. Whether we change our language or not, those at the top often still resist meaningful cooperation. We must not be daunted.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted recent international forums hosted in St. Kitts and Nevis, including the Green Climate Fund Board Meeting and the Island Innovation Caribbean Summit, as platforms where Caribbean voices spoke with conviction and clarity. He reaffirmed that the Caribbean must continue to define its narrative and lead with truth and urgency.
The 49th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting continues this week under the chairmanship of the Hon. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica. Key items on the agenda include climate resilience, regional food security, energy cooperation, Haiti, digital transformation, and the advancement of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
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