During the recent Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific states (OCPAS) meeting held at COP28 in Dubai, the Minister of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation, and the Environment, Sir Molwyn Joseph, delivered a noteworthy speech.

The Minister spoke about the impact of climate change on small island developing states, emphasizing the challenges faced by Antigua and Barbuda, which are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters.

In his speech, the Minister recounted the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 hurricane that hit Antigua and Barbuda in 2017, and the country’s ongoing efforts to recover from the damage.

Despite being classified as a middle-income country, Antigua and Barbuda has limited access to grants or low-interest loans, which is a major hindrance to their rebuilding efforts.

The Minister used an analogy of a student’s graduation to highlight the unfairness of the situation, where countries are punished for achieving economic progress, and as a result, are excluded from accessing essential support mechanisms.

He called for global solidarity to address the dire consequences of climate change, stressing the need for recognition of the unique challenges faced by small island nations. The Minister’s passionate address resonated strongly, advocating for fairness and support for those most severely affected by a crisis they did not cause.

His speech highlighted the urgency of addressing the impact of climate change on small island developing states, which bear the brunt of the catastrophic effects, despite contributing minimally to global emissions.