The Thirty-Third Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held on 1-2 March 2022. Chair of the Conference, the Prime Minister of Belize, the Honourable John Briceño presided over the proceedings.
Other Members of the Conference in attendance were: Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Gaston Browne (virtually); Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Honourable Philip Davis; Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C; MP; Prime Minister of Dominica, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit; Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. the Rt. Honourable Keith Mitchell; President of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister of Haiti, the Honourable Ariel Henry; Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness (virtually); Premier of Montserrat, the Honourable Easton Taylor-Farrell; Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris (virtually); Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, the Honourable Phillip Pierre (virtually); and President of Suriname, His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Works, Lands and Physical Planning, the Honourable Montgomery Daniel; Trinidad and Tobago was represented by the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne.
Associate Members in attendance were: Bermuda represented by the Hon. Walter H. Roban Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs; British Virgin Islands represented by Deputy Premier, the Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley; and the Turks and Caicos Islands represented by Premier the Honourable Charles Misick.
OPENING CEREMONY
Secretary-General, Her Excellency Dr. Carla Barnett, immediate past Chair, the Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Chair of Conference, the Honourable John Briceño, the Prime Minister of Belize addressed the Opening.
The Secretary-General noted that the Community over the 49 years of its existence has been bound together, particularly, in times of adversity and this was such a time. She advised that going forward, as CARICOM celebrates its 50th Anniversary, it must use its achievements as the foundation for building a resilient Caribbean Community.
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda stated that the Community must continue to be vigilant in managing the threats to sustainable development including de-risking, the proposed global minimum corporation tax and sanction-listing of so-called uncooperative jurisdictions by the OECD and European Union.
Climate change, he said, remained the most significant existential threat facing all of humanity and noted the hopes of people in so many countries around the world, for meaningful action on the climate emergency, were dashed against the rocks of the obstinate and selfish attitudes of developed countries and large corporations assembled at COP26 in Glasgow, last November.
The Chair of the Conference, Prime Minister of Belize stated that the Thirty-Third Inter-Sessional Meeting was a particularly consequential meeting which was taking place at a time when unprecedented and existential challenges coincided with our citizens’ expectations for relief and prosperity.
He condemned in the strongest terms the unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russia and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and immediate and unilateral withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine.
The Prime Minister observed that CARICOM was contending with the worst economic recession in modern history. To foster our recovery, he said the Community needed to rekindle the founding vision of CARICOM both with respect to the scale of its ambition for integration, and the speed which was needed to achieve its consolidation. Our recovery, he said should be aligned to a new regional agenda that was centred around creating prosperity for the people.
All the Statements are available at www.caricom.org.
AGREEMENTS SIGNED
Agreement on the Return or Sharing of Recovered Assets – The Bahamas and Belize
Protocol to Amend Article 32 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (with respect to the definition of a CARICOM national) – Belize
Protocol to Amend the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy to Allow Enhanced Cooperation among Member States and to Address Related Issues – Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Grenada
Instrument of Ratification -Multilateral Air Services Agreement – Deposited by Jamaica
COVID-19 AND ITS IMPACT ON THE REGION
Heads of Government acknowledged continued comprehensive response to COVID-19 in the Region the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA), the CARICOM Secretariat’s and the Pan-American Health Organisation’s.
They agreed that Member States would continue to support the multi-sectoral and inter-sectoral regional public health response that has been successfully led by CARPHA supported by the Regional Security System (RSS) and other Regional Institutions.
They also acknowledged that the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has required that Member States re-imagine their development strategies and global economic engagement towards building back better with more sustainable and resilient economies. In that regard they mandated the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), to coordinate the formulation of a regional resource mobilisation strategy to raise the funding required to drive the economic recovery programme.
Heads of Government stressed the need for the continuation of public health measures including masks, testing, isolation and quarantine and supported CARPHA’s recommendations for safe and sustainable air and sea travel to protect the Region.
Heads of Government noted the challenges in achieving desired levels of vaccination. They therefore agreed to mount a regional campaign to combat the disinformation that encourages vaccine hesitancy.
Heads of Government agreed to explore a regional strategy for manufacturing vaccines in the Region.
CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)
Heads of Government agreed that implementation of the CSME is the Region’s best option for responding to the current development challenges and for building a more resilient Region. They further agreed that immediate urgent action on CSME implementation was imperative. In that regard they endorsed the Action Plan for an Effective CSME and proposals for immediate action involving the Organs of the Community, Cabinets and Ministries of Member States, stakeholders, particularly the private sector, and the CARICOM Secretariat to hasten implementation.
Heads of Government adopted and opened for signature the Protocol to Amend the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy to allow Enhanced Cooperation among Member States and to address Related Issues.
They agreed that Suriname would assume the portfolio of Industrial Policy in the CARICOM Quasi-cabinet of Heads of Government.
Heads of Government also agreed to review the governance systems within the Community to facilitate more effective decision-making and to ensure follow-up on the Community agenda.
They requested that urgent attention be given to the strategy for development of the energy sector including the CARICOM Energy Policy (both in respect of fossil fuels and renewables) as well as to address the issue of local content.
Heads of Government established an Open-Ended Working Group on Local Content for Sunrise Industries with core membership from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. They also agreed that the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) would participate in the Working Group.
They mandated the Secretariat to undertake further work on identifying ten (10) major non-food items imported into the Region for which there is production capacity and potential and significant demand considering that these could constitute priority products for investment and trade within the Community
Heads of Government agreed that early decision-making as well as cross-sectoral inter-agency regional and national actions were needed to support the economic recovery and transformation of CARICOM Member States.
They therefore agreed to resuscitate the CARICOM Economic Recovery and Transformation (CERT) Working Committee under the guidance of Prime Minister Mottley, to serve as a clearinghouse for the many recommendations being tabled and to guide the economic recovery and transformation process in the Community.
They also agreed that the Working Committee would be open-ended, with core membership comprised of The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB); and would be coordinated by the Secretary-General. They further agreed to include the President of the Caribbean Development Bank, the Chief Executive Officer of the CARICOM Development Fund and the Chair of the CARICOM Commission on the Economy as members of the Committee.
REGIONAL FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY
Heads of Government commended the Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security, and the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Lead Head of Government in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet for Agriculture, on the work completed in advancing the CARICOM Agri-Food Systems Agenda.
They highlighted the importance of addressing key issues, including Climate Smart Agriculture, Land Reform, Transportation, Regional Infrastructural Development, Public-Private Partnerships, Legislative Reform, improving production and productivity, and incentives to encourage the sector.
Heads of Government agreed to modernise current production methods including digitalization and greater use of technology, emphasise human resource development including youth involvement, and focus on research and development.
Heads of Government recognised the challenges to the achievement of the reduction of the Region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 and the need for increased financial support, including though national budgets. In that regard, they committed to addressing the investment required and the attendant implementation timelines to achieve that objective and agreed to the staging in Guyana of an Agricultural Investment Conference on 19-21 May 2022 to accelerate the process of identifying alternative financing solutions.
They welcomed Guyana’s offer of 25,000 acres of land to facilitate corn and soya production as well as to train 30 persons in the construction of shade houses aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and output.
Heads of Government also welcomed the offer of Suriname of land for agricultural production.
Heads of Government undertook to intensify efforts to remove all Non-Tariff Barriers to intra-regional trade.
ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Heads of Government received a presentation from the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) and undertook to review the proposals put forward.
SECURITY
Heads of Government received a report from the Chair of the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE).
Heads of Government agreed that the support and cooperation of major partners, both nationally and regionally, including strong information and intelligence sharing were required to win the battle against Transnational Organised Crime.
Heads of Government agreed to support the development of a regional Crime Guns Intelligence Unit which would function as an early warning system and a support mechanism for national firearms investigations.
Heads of Government also agreed that there was urgent need for both intra-regional and international cooperation to address effectively maritime and cyber threats.
Heads of Government agreed that the Caribbean Automated Biometric Identification System (CABIS) was necessary, especially as the Region moved toward full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), in support of the free movement of CARICOM citizens and residents.
They mandated the CARICOM Secretariat and CARICOM IMPACS to conduct needs assessments for a regional data privacy policy as well as the legislation required to cover such a System.
HAITI
Heads of Government received a presentation on the situation in Haiti from interim Prime Minister the Honourable Ariel Henry. The Prime Minister underlined that democracy is in decline, institutions are dysfunctional and collapsing. He spoke of the need to restore democracy and the constitutional framework through elections, to address insecurity, and to lay the foundation for future development.
Heads of Government expressed concern over the protracted political impasse, the ongoing humanitarian crisis and mounting insecurity, and the repercussions for the Region of escalating instability.
Heads of Government requested clear direction from the Government of Haiti with regard to the assistance required and, in this regard, agreed to the establishment of a CARICOM Team to interface with its Haitian counterparts and with the international community.
Heads of Government welcomed the suggestion from the Prime Minister of Haiti that the Community could assist in facilitating dialogue, addressing insecurity, building democracy, staging the elections, training the police, and assisting the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
Heads of Government stressed the importance of ensuring good governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights as set out in the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society and underlined the importance of including civil society in the process of dialogue.
Heads of Government commended Guyana for its commitment to provide rice to Haiti in view of the ongoing humanitarian crisis
COP26 – FOLLOW-UP
Heads of Government expressed concern that the overall COP26 package did not adequately address the pressing and urgent needs of Small Island and low-lying coastal Developing States (SIDS), in confronting the accelerating impacts of climate change and in meeting the requirements for climate resilience and adaptation.
They reiterated their urgent call for a systematic global response to provide SIDS with adequate and predictable financial support to address loss and damage. They further noted that the decisions were largely focused on process, so were unlikely to go far enough to keep 1.5 C alive.
Heads of Government stressed the need for the financing of adaptation to be grant funds or not to be included in the debt profile of SIDS. They reiterated their support for the use of a Climate Vulnerability Index as the determining factor for access to concessional financing instead of GDP per capita.
Heads of Government agreed to convene a special meeting on Access to Climate Finance and for a team to work on preparations for this special meeting.
Heads of Government also agreed to support Antigua and Barbuda as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States for the convening of a UNGA Special Session on the dire findings and projections of the latest International Panel on Climate Change report.
Heads of Government agreed to remain fully engaged in the Global Climate Change Agenda and mandated the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) – Environment to convene no later than June 2022, to further review progress on the achievement of the Region’s goals and priorities in relation to Global Climate Action and its related multilateral processes and to report to the next meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.
Heads of Government called on the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) to follow up on the recommended Next Steps of the COP 26 assessment matrix , to monitor the Roadmap to COP 27 and to update the COTED as necessary.
Heads of Government agreed that the Community should pursue financial support from donors to assist the CCCCC to facilitate Regional consultations and coordination regarding the global goal on adaptation, the new quantified goal on climate finance, and the Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage.
They mandated the CCCCC to continue to explore options to enhance support to Member States in their efforts to access funding for further elaboration and implementation of climate adaptation plans, long-term strategies, capacity building for transparency, and other identified priorities.
Heads of Government indicated their support for Vanuatu in its pursuit of an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice on the rights of present and future generations to be protected from Climate Change.
A Declaration outlining CARICOM’s assessment of the Outcomes of COP 26 and its expectations for COP27 is attached.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS/SELF-GOVERNANCE
Heads of Government expressed deep concern about the lack of transparency and the manner in which the UK-backed Commission of Inquiry into the British Virgin Islands was called and is operating without having obtained all the legally required approvals.
Heads of Government reiterated their call for the constitutional position of the duly elected Government to be respected and for self-governance to be upheld and not impeded.
Heads of Government called for the implementation of the UN resolution on the question of the British Virgin Islands adopted by the 76th UN General Assembly on 9 December 2021, which calls for self-governance and self-determination in the Virgin Islands to be respected.
Heads of Government agreed to adopt a unified position at the relevant UN decolonization fora in support of the self-determination of the British Virgin Islands.
BORDER ISSUES (Caucus)
- Belize-Guatemala Relations
Heads of Government received an update on the status of Belize and Guatemala relations, including Guatemala’s Territorial, Insular and Maritime Claim (Guatemala/Belize) at the International Court of Justice. They noted that Belize will submit its Counter Memorial by June 2022.
Heads reiterated the importance of Belize, Guatemala and the OAS continuing to fully implement the existing Confidence Building Measures. They also reiterated their call for both countries and the OAS to finally fulfil their commitment to design a mechanism of co-operation for the Sarstoon River.
They expressed appreciation for the role of the OAS in accompanying the process and called on the international community to increase support for the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone.
Heads of Government reaffirmed their steadfast support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Belize.
- Guyana-Venezuela Relations
Heads of Government received an update on the most recent developments in the controversy between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
They noted that Guyana will be submitting its Memorial on 8 March 2022 in accordance with the schedule set by the International Court of Justice to hear the case on the merits of Guyana’s application concerning the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899 and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary between the two countries.
Heads of Government reiterated their full support for the ongoing judicial process that is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing controversy between the two countries and urged Venezuela to participate in the process.
Heads of Government reaffirmed their firm and unwavering support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.
ROAMING RATES IN CARICOM
Heads of Government welcomed the signing of the Declaration of St George’s Towards the Reduction of Intra CARICOM Roaming Charges to Facilitate the CARICOM Single ICT Space and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. They noted that while the new roaming arrangement did not provide for complete elimination of roaming charges within the CARICOM space, operators indicated that savings would be on the order of 70-98 per cent depending on the service and the market.
Heads of Government stated it was an interim but significant milestone with respect to the Single ICT Space Roadmap.
Heads of Government agreed to the establishment of a single regulatory space for telecommunications in CARICOM.
Heads of Government commended the Prime Minister of Grenada, the lead Head of Government with responsibility for Science and Technology in the Quasi-Cabinet and the Prime Minister of Barbados the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley for leading this exercise.
ORDER OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY
Heads of Government agreed to bestow the Order of the Caribbean Community on the former Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque of Dominica for his service to the Community.
THE COMMONWEALTH
Heads of Government expressed their overwhelming support for the re-election of Baroness Patricia Scotland as Secretary-General of The Commonwealth.
DATE AND VENUE OF THE FORTY-THIRD REGULAR MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE
The President of Suriname will assume the Chair of the Conference for the six-month period commencing 1 July 2022. The 43rd Regular Meeting of the Conference will be held in early July 2022.
STATEMENT OF THE CONFERENCE OF CARICOM HEADS OF GOVERNMENT ON THE WAR AND HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN UKRAINE
We, the Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community strongly condemn the military attacks and invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation and call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to all acts of aggression, the urgent withdrawal of Russian military forces in Ukraine. Any concerns the Russian Federation may have must be resolved diplomatically and not through warfare.
We reaffirm the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and call for respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
We call on all parties involved to urgently intensify diplomatic dialogue and to immediately de-escalate hostilities and work towards sustainable peace.
The invasion of Ukraine is causing untold loss and destruction of life and property for the civilian population of Ukraine, including women and children, in violation of international humanitarian law, and has caused a growing humanitarian crisis.
We express appreciation to the Governments and people of neighbouring countries who are extending humanitarian services to refugees fleeing Ukraine. We are particularly concerned about the plight of and discrimination against non-European nationals and call for the guarantee of the safety and security of nationals of the Caribbean, Latin American and Africa and from those countries who are seeking to leave Ukraine. In this regard, we underscore the importance of respect for human rights and the human dignity of persons in keeping with international commitments.
We reiterate that the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of another sovereign state, the prohibition on the threat or use of force, and the peaceful resolution of all disputes must be adhered to by all nations.
The Caribbean as a Zone of Peace
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is concerned that the military confrontation taking place in Europe could have repercussions in the Region.
The Community strongly rejects any attempt to deploy military assets that can elevate tension and threaten the peace, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of this Region.
The Community is resolute in its affirmation of the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and calls on all countries to refrain from actions that undermine the Declaration made in 2014.
2 March 2022
Ambergris Caye Declaration on COP26 Outcomes and CARICOM Expectations in the lead up to COP27: “A Pathway from Ambition to Action”
Recalling the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Declaration on the 1.5 °C Ambition to Defend the Most Vulnerable
Recalling further the regional priorities and expectations for the Glasgow Climate Change Conference aiming to consolidate global solidarity to close the gap for 1.5 °C ambition
Taking note of the Glasgow Climate Pact and the decisions adopted by the respective governing bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement
Appreciating that the Glasgow Climate Change Conference focused the narrative of ambition on 1.5 °C and confirmed the role of science in informing ambition and accelerated action,
Acknowledging that the Glasgow Climate Pact establishes work programmes to strengthen the 2030 emissions reductions targets, to support measurable progress on the global goal on adaptation, and to determine a new collective goal on climate finance by 2024, and further recognizes the start of the global stocktake and its importance to urgently address gaps in mitigation ambition, adaptation, loss and damage, and finance this decade to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement,
Noting also the decision to initiate the Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage and the finalization of the Paris Agreement Work Programme on common timeframes, transparency and article 6,
Expressing grave concern that notwithstanding the pledges for net zero announced at the Conference, together with the range of voluntary initiatives launched during its Summit, according to the updated NDC Synthesis report, global warming is still projected to be 2.7°C in 2100, which confirms the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change AR6 Report, that on these trends 1.5 °C could be breached as early as this decade,
Alarmed that emissions are expected to continue to rise to record breaking levels as countries emerge from COVID-19, with 2021 seeing the second largest annual increase in CO2 emissions in history,
Deeply concerned that developed countries support for climate action is incommensurate with the needs of developing countries to justly transition their societies and economies to low emissions climate resilient pathways and the increasing costs they face with rising emissions, the fast approaching or otherwise breached tipping points, the compounding effects of the cumulative impacts of climate change on sustainable development, and unavoidable loss and damage,
Particularly worried that despite being the least contributors to the climate emergency, Member States of the CARICOM face unsustainable and disproportionate debt burdens as they confront escalating climate impacts,
Emphasizing thus the inexorable need to increase near term ambition, to accelerate urgent climate action, and increase and deliver timely support to developing countries, in this decade,
Reiterating that limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires rapid, deep and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions, including reducing global carbon dioxide emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 relative to the 2010 level and to net zero around mid-century, as well as deep reductions in other greenhouse gases,
Underscoring the need for an unequivocal political commitment that no effort shall be spared to strengthen emissions reduction targets of the major emitters as early as the end of 2022, and to enact the necessary measures to unlock and fast track the great potential of humanity, taking a an urgent and systematic approach, in line with principles of the Paris Agreement, and ensuring accountability and transparency,
Desiring thus for 2022 to initiate a roadmap from ambition to action with milestones for governments and non-state actors alike with COP27 as our first way point on the path to 1.5°C , the CARICOM Heads of Government,
- Affirm that for the Caribbean keeping global temperatures below 1.5°C is not an option, it is a matter of survival.
- Urgently call upon the international community to uphold its responsibility to protect the most vulnerable and maintain a central focus on the special case and particular circumstances of small island developing states (SIDS),
- Affirm that “Securing a safe climate future for the Caribbean” will remain under close consideration of the CARICOM Heads of Government with a view inter alia to elaborating further on the regional roadmap from ambition to action with a focus on articulating regional needs and priorities, forging new partnerships across the whole of society, and, strengthening CARICOM political engagement in multilateral processes to advance regional priorities,
- Endorse a Paris 2030 delivery agenda to include for 2022:
- At COP27 if not earlier, major economies plan for strengthened 2030 emissions reduction targets in line with the 1.5 °C Paris temperature goal and Low-emissions Development Strategies;
- Leading up to COP27, a US$100 billion finance dashboard progress report and at COP27, and during the High-level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Finance, clarification on plans to scale beyond the floor of US $100 billion in the period through to 2025 taking into account the parity between adaptation and mitigation, and the additionality of loss and damage finance;
- Measures of progress on developed countries commitment to double adaptation finance from 2019 levels and to ensure that vulnerable countries are accessing and benefitting from these finance flows;
- Timely progress of technical work as called for in the Glasgow Climate Pact noting with appreciation the efforts of the COP Presidencies of the United Kingdom and of Egypt to accelerate the work programmes geared towards clear deliverables at COP27;
- A timebound reform agenda for climate funds, multilateral development banks, and other finance providers to address SIDS access to grants and other concessionary finance arrangements in line with our urgent needs and priorities; and in this regard urge implementation and further elaboration of the call to action emanating from the second roundtable dialogue on SIDS and access to finance ;
- Allocation of an envelope of resources to SIDS under the Global Environment Facility Eighth Replenishment Process for capacity building and technology transfer including for the implementation of the enhanced transparency framework;
- Conclusion of elements for the full operationalization of Article 6 consistent with 1.5 °C ambition, accountability, transparency and environmental integrity;
- Welcome the focus of the UK COP Presidency on delivery, and urge the continued collaboration with the incoming President of COP27 (Egypt), to ensure consistency, coherence and implementation of commitments in line with the principles and goals of the Paris Agreement;
- Also take note of the UK COP Presidency Glasgow Breakthrough Initiatives and the launch of the Global Checkpoint Process and encourage the UK COP Presidency to engage with CARICOM Member States to identify how the region can benefit and champion SIDS specific breakthroughs;
- Urge the convenors of other fora intended to mobilize support for the UNFCCC process, including the Major Economies Forum, the Ministerial on Climate Action and the Petersberg Dialogue, to marshal efforts to support a Paris delivery agenda;
- Note the policy priorities of Germany’s G7 Presidency under the overarching objective of “Progress towards and equitable world” including the focus in particular on a sustainable planet;
- Take note further of the G7 Presidency’s intention to establish a global Climate Club to foster ambitious, climate action and encourage the G7 Presidency to engage with the Caribbean and other small island developing states as partners to jointly identify how such an alliance can directly address the SIDS needs in the near term particularly for addressing adaptation, and unavoidable loss and damage and avoid any unintended consequences;
- Note also that the Indonesian Presidency of the G20 has identified energy transition as a policy priority, and express the hope that the focus on sustainable energy transition will be framed in light of the temperature goal of 1.5°C and so lend support to strengthened 2030 emissions targets that could be brought forward to the COP27, underscoring that in so doing the G20 together can keep 1.5°C within reach;
- Calls also for global recognition of the SIDS need for finance for loss and damage to cover the costs of impacts and risks to which we cannot adapt;
- Urge all leaders to confront the reality that climate change poses an existential threat to SIDS and that its impacts represent a “Code Red for Humanity” and thus require immediate, global action to reduce greenhouse emissions and provide accessible and affordable finance in line with the science to keep 1.5°C within reach.
There is no more time for equivocation and no more time for delay; we, the CARICOM Heads of Government, demand action now.
