To counter global challenges that are a particular threat to vulnerable island nations like those in the Caribbean, it’s vital to “face the headwinds together”, especially in the face of the destruction being wrought by climate change, the UN chief told the annual Caribbean Community (CARICOM) conference in Saint Lucia.
“The beauty of St. Lucia and the uniqueness of the voice and way of life of each of the Caribbean islands is threatened”, said Secretary-General António Guterres at the Conference of Heads of CARICOM Governments gathered to focus on obstacles to sustainable development.
Mr. Guterres recounted his visit to the South Pacific in May where he saw how Pacific island nations are addressing the climate crisis by focusing on a climate lens on development investments. He also recalled his visit two years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc in 2017 when in only a couple of days, years of hard-won development gains were destroyed in Barbuda and Dominica.
As climate-related natural disasters grow in frequency and severity, the UN chief pointed out that the risks to families and to development overall will only intensify.
What the Caribbean has endured makes “abundantly clear” the urgent need to “reduce global emissions and work collectively to ensure that global temperature rise does not go beyond 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels”, he continued, inviting government and private sector leaders to come with concrete plans to the UN Climate Action Summit in September, at UN Headquarters, which could result in a 45 percent cut in greenhouse emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
“We must massively increase our ambition to advance low-emission and resilient development, including addressing loss and damage from climate impacts”, he stressed, saying “we need all-hands-on-deck”.
He commended the bold vision of CARICOM leaders, to make the Caribbean the world’s first Climate Resilient Zone and drew attention to the creation of a Caribbean Resilience to Recovery Facility. When completed, it aims to provide a regional indigenous mechanism to source talent, experience and financial solutions for the region, to build resilient communities and nations.
“Let us cooperate ever more closely in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of the Caribbean”, concluded the Secretary-General.
Original source: UN News
Published on 03 July 2019
