Manhattan, New York, September 25, 2024 (SKNIS): The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Economic Development, International Trade, Investments, and Industry and Commerce of Saint Kitts and Nevis, delivered a statement on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at the High-Level Plenary Meeting on Addressing the Existential Threats Posed by Sea Level Rise at the United Nations on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Representing CARICOM and aligning with the positions of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), Dr. Douglas stressed the critical nature of the ongoing climate crisis and its tangible impact on small island nations.

“The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Rising sea levels are not a distant threat but one that is upon us. Immediate action is imperative since the climate crisis and the impacts of sea level rise are not isolated but intricately interwoven,” he stated, underscoring the devastating potential if global temperatures exceed 1.5°C.

Dr. Douglas highlighted the vulnerability of Caribbean nations to extreme weather events compounded by rising sea levels. He cited the example of Hurricane Beryl, which brought catastrophic flooding to the region, resulting in loss of life and widespread displacement.

“Evidence of this devastating effect has already been felt in the Caribbean,” Dr. Douglas explained, emphasising that sea-level rise is exacerbating the impacts of natural disasters and threatening long-term development in the region.

Senior Minister Dr. Douglas called for continued international collaboration, especially in terms of financing climate action. He stressed the importance of initiatives like the Loss and Damage Fund and the recently adopted Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), which measures vulnerability to climate change.

“The top priority of the agenda remains ensuring the delivery of climate finance to fund adaptation and mitigation initiatives. This is a key solution to address the impacts of sea level rise and the climate crisis as a whole,” he said.

The CARICOM statement delivered by Dr. Douglas was a call for urgent global action, focusing on both the immediate needs of Caribbean nations and the long-term solutions required to address the climate crisis effectively.