Basseterre, Saint Kitts, May 26, 2025 (SKNIS): The impact of climate change on health and social protection systems took centre stage on Monday, May 26, 2025, during Day Two of the Island Youth Forum at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, where participants explored how social vulnerability is being shaped by environmental challenges.
Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of State responsible for Social Development, the Honourable Isalean Phillip, shared some key points on the topic to scores of local, regional and international delegates attending the forum, which is a pre-event of the Global Sustainable Islands Summit (GSIS) being held in the twin-island Federation from May 27-29, 2025. The minister’s remarks served as the keynote address on the topic ahead of a panel discussion.
Honourable Phillip noted that “climate change is a very real threat that increases our collective vulnerability to disaster and shock.” She added that as individuals and sub-groups in a society, everyone has their own experiences, and the intersection between climate change and social vulnerability calls for creative strategies to develop solutions that resonate with a diverse population.
“Each of these identifiers: income, age, ability, geography, gender, and health are key determinants of social vulnerability. And the beauty of humanity is that any one person can assume multiple identifiers that intersect to increase their vulnerability to shock,” said the minister of state. “Now the hard task is figuring out how we protect people from shocks, especially the most vulnerable? How do we build systems to support and respond to their needs in times of disaster? How do we make sure that health care, social assistance and emergency response units are deployed in ways to ensure that those who need it most, receive it as timely as possible?”
Commenting on the collection of youth from all walks of life at the forum, Minister Phillip challenged them to expand their voice and confidence.
“I implore you to use forums and opportunities like these to really listen, to think critically, to ask questions and engage with experts and professionals who have made time to network with you. The questions we’re asking and issues we’re discussing are the same topics people like me show up to boardrooms and sit around cabinet tables brainstorming,” Honourable Phillip stated.
Minister Phillip urged participants to broaden their perspectives beyond the immediate scope of climate change, encouraging a more holistic view of resilience for small island states.
“I encourage you to think outside the box and be confident in voicing your views and sharing your ideas. But I want to also remind you that, as small island states, our vulnerability is not one-dimensional. While this forum is climate-change focused, I want you to think about our nations’ resilience as broadly as possible. Because climate change, while major, is not our only unpredictable threat,” Minister Phillip continued. “There are also non-climatic shocks that threaten our sustainability and resilience as sovereign nations. I refer to trade wars that impact our food supply chains and cost of living, global pandemics that alter human social behaviour, world wars and volatile geopolitics that affect migration are active and very real threats to our socio-economic stability and sustainability. We do not live in vacuums or in bubbles, we are tiny parts of a very big and vast global environment that can sometimes be unforgiving.”
The minister added that the government led by Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, will continue its open and meaningful engagement with young people, giving them a voice to express concerns, a seat at the decision-making table, and access to opportunities for growth, leadership and self-empowerment.
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