Charging that it is time for action, Prime Minister Philip Davis told Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government that more than $40 billion would be needed to strengthen the region's defenses against climate change and natural disasters. Addressing the CARICOM 43rd Regular Heads of Government Meeting in Paramaribo, Suriname, Davis said while every country in the world faces adverse and extreme weather events, the countries in Caribbean region face extraordinary and immediate risk.
“We have heard for many, many years about the good intentions of others. I know you join me in seeing the urgency of moving beyond promises and pledges. It’s time for action. Fortunately, there is hope on the horizon. Due to our joint and persistent advocacy, work is now underway in the global community on the development of a multidimensional vulnerability index that will better measure our development needs and improve access to development assistance. Once completed, it will replace inadequate tools such as per capita GDP,” Davis said during Sunday’s opening ceremony.
“I invite you to attend the UNFCCC Regional Heads of Governments Meeting in The Bahamas next month, August 16th-18th, to discuss matters pertaining to climate financing and adaptation ahead of COP 27. The Caribbean as a region will need more than $40 billion to finance adaptation efforts and disaster recovery.”
Davis has said that he believes roughly 40 percent of the country’s $10 billion debt is directly attributed to severe hurricanes and natural disasters. As a result, the prime minister has been lobbying world leaders and global funding organizations at various summits and conferences to provide special financing to The Bahamas because of its unique disposition to global warming.
“Over the last few years, many of our countries have not fared well. Small ocean economies gain in negotiating strength and influence when we work effectively as one. It is no exaggeration to say that, if we do not stand together, each one of us is in danger of falling apart. The deadline to attain the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals agenda is a mere eight years away. Many of us are lagging in critical areas. There is no time to waste,” Davis said.
Last week at the Commonwealth Business Forum during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda, Davis again sounded the alarm on climate change and the dire consequences it poses to small island developing states.
He said although The Bahamas is vulnerable to floods caused by rises in sea level and storm surges from hurricanes, with the right investment in infrastructure and access to much-needed funds and technical support, the country can take great steps to ensure its survival.
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