BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 23, 2022 (SKNIS) – In his first presentation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew called on the international community to increase its efforts at combating the devastating effects of climate change.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister’s call came during his presentation at the General Debate of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 23, 2022.
Prime Minister Dr. Drew reminded his fellow world leaders that there can be no true international security without climate security.
“In every country on the planet, national populations have had to confront the reality of climate change. As our planet heats up, so too have the frustrations and the impatience of the global ordinary citizens who feel they are losing the fight to make ends meet and secure the future of their children,” Dr. Drew said.
The Prime Minister added that small island developing states, like St. Kitts and Nevis, “experience a reality plagued by this continuous existential threat with the passage of every hurricane, every outbreak of war and every global food shortage we all remain at risk of tipping the balance that we have striven to create over these many, many years.”
Prime Minister Dr. Drew affirmed that it is not for every leader to talk about the issue of climate change year after year, but rather called for affirmative action that will provide tailored responses to the vulnerabilities of climate change.
He added, “I humbly urge countries to honour the financial commitments made before the COP26 to double contributions to adaptation financing by 2025. A delayed response to these commitments will further imperil our developing nations. Climate financing, resiliency and environmental conservation must be integrated into national policies and must be at the forefront of our global development agenda.”
Prime Minister Dr. Drew noted that the current global situation calls for the establishment of a multi-dimensional vulnerability index that takes into consideration the peculiar characteristics and climate vulnerabilities of small island developing states like St. Kitts and Nevis.
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