United Nations, New York (03 November 2025) – Facing rising catastrophic weather and climatic events, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis with the assistance of the Government of Italy is investing in Early Warning Systems to secure nationals from intensified hurricanes and storms fuelled by climate change. Mr. Eustace T. Wallace, Minister Counsellor and 2nd Committee (Economic and Financial Affairs) Lead at the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations and Dr. Elrick Francis, Director of Climate Action Unit in the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Action recently attended the Italy-CARICOM Joint Commission on Sustainable Development where they advocated for the Early Warning System for St. Kitts and Nevis.
This tangible result of the federation’s multilateral diplomacy realises the strategic vision and targeted action of the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister for Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, and H. E. Dr. Mutryce Williams, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, to anchor Kittitians and Nevisians at the heart of the Sustainable Island State Agenda. This consequential diplomatic partnership with the Italy comes as the region continues to assess the damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. It also bolsters St. Kitts and Nevis’s commitment to sustainability and resilience.
According to the United Nations, “The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative aims to ensure that everyone, everywhere, is protected by life-saving early warning systems by 2027. Led by WMO, UNDRR, ITU, and IFRC, the initiative strengthens global collaboration to enhance risk knowledge, monitoring, communication, and preparedness for climate-related hazards.”
The Global Status Report on Early Warning Systems assesses that “countries with substantive-to-comprehensive early warnings coverage have disaster mortality eight times lower than countries with limited coverage. According to the Global Commission on Adaptation, giving just 24 hours’ notice of an impending hazardous event can reduce damage by 30 per cent. Investing just US$800 million in such systems in developing countries would prevent losses of $3 to $16 billion annually.”
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew welcomed the initiative by thanking the Government of Italy for their partnership noting, “as we look across the Caribbean, we remain vulnerable to the unjust action and denialism of others. Our contribution to climate change is negligible yet we pay a significant price. Italy’s cooperation enables us to invest in targeted action across adaptation and mitigation to ensure that every child and elderly person in St. Kitts and Nevis can escape the brunt of these devastating hurricanes.”
Honourable Minister Dr. Joyelle Clarke welcomed the approval of the project by emphasising “from coast to coast we are determined to protect the most vulnerable from environmental and climatic harm. As your Minister for Sustainable Development, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment my solemn pledge to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis is simple: partnerships for progress and investments for your protection – your home, your families, and your communities. This government is by your side as we aim to diminish the anxieties, we all feel each hurricane seas.”
Ambassador Dr. Mutryce Williams noted, “This is not only a testimony of the results based multilateral and bilateral partnerships that are strengthened at the United Nations by the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations, but it is also evidence of the collaborative efforts, and synergy with capital, ensuring safety and security for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis. Early warning systems have proven to be a cost-effective and reliable solution to protect lives and livelihoods from natural hazards such as floods, heatwaves, storms and tsunamis. It was an honour for the Mission to do its part.”
