Foreign Affairs Minister E.P Chet Greene

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Foreign Affairs Minister E.P Chet Greene has told world leaders that the old way of addressing the effects of climate change is not working.

Greene told the official start of the Small Islands Developing States Conference currently being held in Antigua that several action plans have been implemented over the years which have not been successful.

He referenced the Barbados Plan of Action, the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation, and the Samoa Pathway.

“Each was launched with great hope and promise. They aimed to address the unique challenges faced by SIDS, from environmental vulnerabilities to economic hardships.  Yet, despite their well-meaning intentions, we were not successful in achieving the sustainable change we needed. The reasons are complex, lack of sufficient funding, inadequate implementation, and sometimes, a lack of genuine commitment from the international community,” he said

These failures, according to Greene, underscore a crucial point: incremental prescriptions for SIDS are no longer enough.

“The ABAS is our chance to break this cycle of unmet promises and make real, tangible progress. The ABAS is different, it is effective, actionable, and transformative. It aims to ensure that we can “Chart the Course Towards Resilient Prosperity” within a decade. This means building infrastructure that can withstand climate impacts, diversifying our economies to reduce vulnerability, finding sustainable ways to manage our debt and improving healthcare systems to better handle pandemics,” he said

He emphasized the urgent need for action, stressing that within a few years, some of our cherished islands may cease to exist due to rising sea levels.

“Our islands are the frontlines of climate change, and their survival is intrinsically linked to the survival of our global environment. If we allow our islands to disappear, we are not just losing land; we are losing a part of our collective humanity. This is a call to action, a plea for immediate and decisive measures,” he said

Addingm “We need a reset, and we need it now. The resilience of SIDS cannot be built on outdated frameworks and half-hearted measures. We need a new approach that fully recognizes the unique and increased vulnerabilities of SIDS”

The Foreign Affairs Minister emphasized that it is essential to protect not only a few islands but also a crucial part of our world. With the necessary tools and support, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) can serve as shining examples of sustainability and resilience. Achieving this goal will require a significant change in mindset and behavior, as well as a strong dedication to climate justice and acknowledgment of the disproportionate challenges that our islands consistently encounter.

“Just a few years ago, Hurricane Irma swept through Barbuda, leaving a trail of destruction that our people are still recovering from. The intensity and frequency of such storms are not just “another disaster”; they are stark reminders of our environmental vulnerability,” he added

He said the conference should not be seen as an opportunity to showcase the islands beauty but to see firsthand how a vulnerable island is pushing innovation, resilience and adaptation with a people-first approach.  

“You are here in Antigua and Barbuda for a global reset. Not to have a conversation but to put words to action and to move the ABAS from paper to people. Moving from paper to people means translating policies found in the ABAS into tangible benefits. It means ensuring that development assistance reaches us faster and is more impactful. It means creating sustainable development projects that provide jobs, education, and healthcare.  Moving from paper to people means empowering our local leaders and communities to take charge of their futures,” he said