Prime Minister Honourable Dr Terrance Drew and a distinguished delegation from St Kitts and Nevis are gearing up for their active involvement in the upcoming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This conference is scheduled to unfold from 30 November to 12 December 2023.
COP28 and Paris Agreement Meeting
The event will encompass the twenty-eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) and the fifth meeting of the COP, functioning as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement.
Collaborative Funding for Delegation Participation
The delegation’s participation in COP28 is made possible through collaborative funding from the Government of Dubai and Taiwan.
Notable Delegation Members
The delegation comprises esteemed St Kitts and Nevis officials making it the largest delegation from St Kitts and Nevis to attend COP28, which consists of:
- Minister of Foreign Affairs: Dr Denzil Douglas
- Minister of Energy: Konris Maynard
- Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, and Climate Action: Dr Joyelle Clarke
- Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office: Glenroy Blanchette
- Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment: Nerissa Williams
- Minister-Counsellor in St Kitts and Nevis High Commission to Canada: Eustace Wallace
- Press Secretary to the Prime Minister: Adelcia Connor-Ferlance
- Chief Technical Officer: Cheryl Jeffers
- Technical Advisor: Sharon Rattan
- University of the West Indies Professor: Donovan Campbell
- Chief Engineer at NEVLEC: Ian Ward
- Technical Officers: Johnathan Kelly, Teslyn Morris, and Denaula Laplace
- Representatives from CRE: Dr Devon Gardner and Dr Pamala Proverbs
- Administrative Personnel: Kezzia Daniel
- Youth Representative: Jazzee Connor
Expertise Contribution to COP28 Discussions
This esteemed group is poised to contribute expertise and insight on critical environmental and renewable energy matters during their attendance at COP28 in Dubai.
Call for Urgent Action by Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance
Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), serving as the convenor and secretariat for the Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance, along with other members, will participate in COP28 in Dubai.
The Alliance looks forward to collaborating with public and private sector agencies and non-state actors to champion climate justice.
That will ensure that global decisions align with the needs and priorities of Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS).
The Alliance has introduced its “Caribbean Climate Justice and Resilience Agenda,” outlining priority needs and actions by 2030 for vulnerable groups and wider civil society in Caribbean SIDS.
Alliance Agenda
The Agenda acknowledges that climate change poses severe threats to the Caribbean population, economic sectors, livelihoods, and natural ecosystems.
The impacts are disproportionately felt by vulnerable and marginalised groups in St Kitts and Nevis.
Development and Collaboration at COP28
CANARI, serving as the convenor and secretariat for the Alliance, along with other members, will participate in COP28 in Dubai.
The Alliance looks forward to collaborating with public and private sector agencies and non-state actors to champion climate justice and ensure that global decisions align with the needs and priorities of Caribbean SIDS.
World Climate Action Summit (WCAS)
A vital component of the conference is the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS), scheduled to coincide with COP28.
Heads of State or Government are invited to participate in this summit, emphasising the global importance of translating climate decisions into tangible actions.
WCAS Objectives and Schedule
The WCAS, set for 1 to 2 December 2023, aims to sustain and elevate the commitment to climate change issues. It aligns with the high-level segment for Heads of State or Government.
Prime Minister’s Commitment and Statement
Prime Minister Honourable Dr Terrance Drew expressed his commitment to advancing the climate agenda, highlighting the significance of attending the UN Climate Change Conference and participating in the WCAS.
He emphasised the importance of global collaboration in addressing climate change and promoting the nation’s Sustainable Island State agenda.
The delegation from St Kitts and Nevis pledges active engagement in discussions, sharing the nation’s commitment to sustainable practices and contributing to the international dialogue aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.
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