Antigua and Barbuda has underscored the urgent needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at a high-level regional climate meeting ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
The country’s delegation, led by Senator Michael Joseph, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, and Ambassador Ruleta Camacho Thomas, participated in the Ministerial Meeting of Latin America and the Caribbean for the Implementation of Regional Climate Action, held August 25–26 in Mexico City.
Addressing the plenary, Minister Joseph stressed that for nations like Antigua and Barbuda, transitioning to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies requires transformative, non-debt-creating finance. He called for greater accountability from the world’s largest emitters, warning that “rights without remedies are not justice.”
The delegation also engaged in a special session on the sargassum crisis, where innovative uses for the invasive seaweed were showcased. While recognizing the promise of such innovations, the Antigua and Barbuda team highlighted the urgent need for sustainable management and financing for large-scale clean-ups, citing mounting costs for affected states.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Joseph and Ambassador Camacho held bilateral discussions with Alicia Barcena, Mexico’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, and Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago, President-Designate of COP30, to explore deeper cooperation ahead of the UN climate summit in Belém later this year.
Transformative finance without adding debt is crucial. Island nations can’t keep borrowing to survive climate crises.
Meetings are good, but now we need follow-up and concrete funding. Words alone won’t save us from rising seas.
Sometimes I wonder if all these meetings and conferences make much sense at all. Are we getting value for money?
Caribbean countries have so much at stake with climate change. It’s crucial that we speak up and collaborate regionally.