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Press Release
28 March 2023
OECS Countries Plan for Management of Cross-border Movements Due to Disasters and Climate Change
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Speech
25 March 2023
RC Trebucq's Remarks at 2023 Plenary Session of Rotary Clubs of Barbados' Model United Nations
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Press Release
22 March 2023
Making a change “drop by drop” | UNDP World Water Day Op Ed
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
The United Nations Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean in collaboration with its partners is supporting implementation of the sustainable development goals across the 10 countries covered by our multi-country office (MCO). These 17 Global Goals are a roadmap to address the most pressing challenges facing Caribbean citizens and persons all over the world, to create a sustainable future for all.
Kindly note that the data visualizations show an aggregate of the Caribbean. To view the disaggregated data per country, please click on the name of the country or territory you wish to explore.
Story
28 February 2023
Eastern Caribbean Countries renew SDG commitments under new UN Regional Cooperation Framework
With only seven years left to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals, Caribbean Governments and the United Nations have renewed their commitment to intensifying efforts to achieve the vision of the 2030 Agenda, under the new UN Muti-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) 2022-2026.
An inaugural meeting of a sub-regional Joint Steering Committee, the governing body charged with strategic oversight for implementation of the regional MSDCF in the Eastern Caribbean, was yesterday successfully held at UN House, with robust participation from government leaders. It was co-chaired by UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq and representative of the Government of Barbados, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Hon. Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight.
The hybrid meeting, follows a series of independent reviews of Country Implementation Plans at the country-level with key stakeholders, and brought together Heads and representatives from 13 UN Agencies, and Ministers and senior Government officials from across nine Eastern Caribbean member states. Fruitful discussions were held on how governments and the UN Development system will work together to ensure efficiency, UN results for 2022, and priorities for 2023, to build resilience and advance SDG progress.
In delivering opening remarks in his capacity as Co-chair, Mr. Trebucq said the first Steering Committee meeting was opportune for the Sub-region since it allowed partners to come together after one year under the Cooperation Framework, to continue their partnership in the work started last year.
“High debt burden, already a longstanding concern in this region is increasing its pressure on countries. This year alone global debt service payments skyrocketed to 35% – the largest increase in decades, and food insecurity has risen from 33% to 57 %. Coupled with the lingering effects of the pandemic and the acceleration of climate change, people and governments in the sub-region are increasingly facing difficult choices to build resilience. In this context, working together and working effectively is of paramount importance. And that is why we are here today,” the UN Head explained.
Identifying efforts around tackling learning losses following the pandemic, increasing access to financing and strengthening food-security as among the key critical issues delivered for the sub-region in 2022, the UN head said going forward increased attention would be placed on SDG acceleration, digitization across key sectors, and climate change and resilience , with greater emphasis on climate financing.
Co-chair, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight in addressing the gathering noted the unprecedented challenges that faced the region over the past two to three years in terms of intensity, continuity and impact. “I don't think that there's ever been a time in the history of the globe that we have seen shock, after shock, after shock coming, and particularly for small states,” she maintained, positing that the region is poised to overcome these challenges by virtue of its history of survival, strong partnerships and penchant for innovation.
“In the context of facing a crisis, we always know how to innovate with what we have. I point to the work that is being done in the context of greening our economies, the energy transitions that are happening, the efforts to digitize our economies and to essentially transform our social structures as well as our governance systems. I also point to the work that is taking place in the context of criminal justice reform, and a whole body of work that is happening within the region. We need to ensure that we continue to highlight the efforts that are being made with the assistance of the UN and other partners, to be able to continue to build and instill resilience into our countries,” she added.
Minister Munro-Knight also underscored the importance of having partners like the UN System that are focused on walking beside countries, focused on delivery, listening, being flexible, and ensuring that they are demand-driven. “Those are the partnerships that are going to define the extent to which as a region, we are going to be able to continue to thrive,” she maintained.
Despite myriad challenges, 2022 solidified regional progress, with 20 UN Agencies supporting development of 10 Country Implementation Plans, implementation of over 150 programme interventions, and the launch of 13 joint programmes across Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. The MSDCF covers all the SDGs and supports Caribbean Governments in four strategic areas: shared prosperity/economic resilience; equality/ well-being /leaving no one behind; resilience to climate change/ sustainable natural resource management; and peace, safety, justice, and the rule of law.
Minister of Social Development, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Hon. Orando Brewster; Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke; Minister of Finance, Climate Resilience and Social Security, Commonwealth of Dominica, the Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MSDCF Focal Point), Antigua and Barbuda, Ambassador Anthony Liverpool; Special Envoy of the Premier, British Virgin Islands, Mr. Benito Wheatley; Premier and Minister of Finance, Montserrat, the Hon. Joseph Farrell and Permanent Secretary, Department of Economic Development, Transport and Civil Aviation, Saint Lucia, Mr. Claudius Emmanuel, were among key Government leaders providing country- specific highlights on successes, key implementation challenges and interventions that should be prioritized for 2023.
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Press Release
03 March 2023
WFP Executive Board welcomes appointment of Cindy McCain as new head of UN World Food Programme
The appointment was made by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations QU Dongyu, after consultations with the WFP Board at a special session at WFP’s Rome headquarters.
Pollok said: “McCain takes over as head of the World Food Programme at a moment when the world confronts the most serious food security crisis in modern history and this leadership role has never been more important. We wish her well and can assure her she will have the full support of the Executive Board.”
Cindy McCain presently serves as the United States Permanent Representative to the UN Agencies in Rome (the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the World Food Programme). She is the former Chair of the Board of Trustees of the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. She served on the Board of Directors of Project C.U.R.E., CARE, Operation Smile, the Halo Trust and the advisory boards of Too Small To Fail and Warriors and Quiet Waters. McCain holds an undergraduate degree in Education and a Master’s in Special Education from the University of Southern California. She is the wife of the late U.S. Senator John McCain.
McCain will succeed David Beasley as Executive Director, who will have served six years when his term ends on April 4.
The increasing number of conflicts, climate shocks and economic turmoil have led to a sharp rise in the number of acutely food-insecure people struggling to get enough food to feed their families – up almost 200 million since before the coronavirus pandemic. WFP provided more than 158 million people with food, cash and vouchers in 2022, more than in any previous year, and received a record US$14 billion in funding.
In 2020, the World Food Programme was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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Story
01 March 2023
WFP Signs Technical Assistance Agreement with St. Lucia's Ministry of Equity
On January 27, 2023, officials of the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) affixed their signatures to a new TAA.
WFP Country Director and Representative at the Multi-country Office in Barbados Regis Chapman represented and engaged with St. Lucia's Minister of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment. Permanent Secretary Velda Octave-Joseph signed on behalf of the Ministry.
The aim of the TAA is to support the efforts of the Government of Saint Lucia to strengthen its social protection system in a bid to make it more comprehensive and responsive to natural hazards and other shocks.
This TAA builds on previous cooperation between the Ministry of Equity and WFP, which facilitated the implementation of several projects from 2020-March 2022.
Projects undertaken included a temporary expansion of the Public Assistance Programme (PAP), a monthly top-up to assist 79 persons living with HIV to support them with their most essential needs for 12 months, and support to the Ministry to strengthen Saint Lucia’s social protection system in response to shocks through
1) The development of a household vulnerability index which can analyze factors that make a household vulnerable to the impacts of hazards;
2) A cash assistance pilot, following Hurricane Elsa, to support vulnerable households impacted and to test the new vulnerability index and digital payments; and
3) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to standardize processes and close operational gaps among the agencies involved in shock-responsive social protection.
Through training and skills transfer, the new Technical Assistance Agreement will facilitate direct support to strengthen the Ministry’s capacity in the areas of Vulnerability Analysis, Livelihoods Analysis, Data Management, GIS Mapping, Digitalization and Digital Payments, among others.
The Agreement remains in effect until 31 December 2024.
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Story
09 January 2023
Vulnerable Families To Receive Hampers From World Food Programme
Working in conjunction with the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, the WFP is providing food hampers to some of the most vulnerable households in Barbados impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living.
This was revealed during a press briefing with Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, and Representative for the Caribbean Multi-Country Office of the WFP, Regis Chapman, at the Ministry’s Warrens Office Complex recently.
Minister Humphrey stressed the donation was not a Christmas hamper given by the Government of Barbados to people, but food items which were purchased by the WFP and prepositioned ahead of the hurricane season.
“The role of the Ministry was just to provide the personnel names to be able to allow them to reach the persons who need support the most. So, we took a look at our most vulnerable list. The majority of names came from the Welfare list, and would therefore be legitimate persons who are in need,” he said.
The Minister made it clear this was not a case where persons could call the Ministry and be added to the list.
“This…is meant to support those families during a very challenging time in Barbados. So, we are extremely grateful to the World Food Programme,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chapman explained that the WFP sought to support the 22 countries it covered in a multi-hazard environment with the easy access to food items. He added that a decision was made to pre-purchase a limited amount of food kits to be able to quickly dispatch from Barbados to impacted populations.
However, he noted that there were no significant impacts in the Caribbean this year, and a decision was taken to support the Government and People of Barbados where its office is hosted, to re-condition the food items purchased into food hampers for vulnerable populations.
“There has been a lot of coordination with the Ministry of People Empowerment. They have helped us to identify vulnerable households,” Mr. Chapman said.
Adding that the intention was to “ease the burden of the households,” he said, the cost of living for some was becoming more difficult.
Funding for the purchase, transport and distribution of the food items was provided by Germany to the value of 500,000 euros. The food stuff was purchased in Barbados, and includes items such as rice, pasta, oats, peas, tuna, sardines, corn beef and mixed vegetables.
WFP trucks are expected to deliver the food items to vulnerable families in the coming weeks to provide support at Christmas and into the New Year.
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Press Release
09 December 2022
New UN Project Launched to Strengthen Data And Policy Solutions To Support Rights-Based Population Policies And Programmes In Barbados And Montserrat
To this end, the Government and people of Barbados and Montserrat will benefit from a new joint programme aimed at improving access to quality, real-time demographic data, and gender analysis, to support evidence-based national sustainable development policies.
The USD$814,000 M Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Fund Joint Programme - “Integrated Population Data and Policy Solutions to Accelerate SDGs Achievement in Barbados and Montserrat” was recently launched during a hybrid ceremony at UN House Barbados.
The two-year Project is being led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and jointly implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). It aims to strengthen capacity for implementation of rights-based population policies and programmes that integrate evidence on population dynamics, sexual and reproductive health and gender equality and their links to sustainable development.
UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq, in delivering welcome remarks noted that one of the major structural issues impeding implementation of the 2030 agenda regionally is the lack of reliable statistical data.
Citing existing gaps ranging from data collection to quality and level of disaggregation according to established SDG criteria, the UN Head maintained that “addressing and closing the gaps identified are essential to ensuring that there is elimination of poverty, inequalities, discrimination, and exclusion, thereby attaining just, gender equitable, and sustainable populations and societies.”
Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in Barbados, the Hon. Ryan Straughn, in welcoming the initiative, said the joint programme will be a critical part of the Government’s programme in Barbados to revamp the way that they viewed statistics, in terms of real-time capacity to bring meaningful change to decision making.
“This is a very critical intervention at this time. It is timely because as we emerge into a new post-COVD environment, careful attention must be paid to mapping where the most vulnerable populations happen to be and what is required from a social enfranchisement policy perspective, to bring those persons along. This is so that we do not allow the recovery to take place without ensuring that those who have been seriously impacted from the pandemic, can also participate fully as it relates to the economic recovery.”
Premier and Minister of Finance in Montserrat, the Hon. Joseph Farrell, told the gathering small states like Montserrat were disadvantaged by the absence of clean, quality, disaggregated data. He anticipates strengthening data systems for development efforts to ensure that no one is left behind.
“I firmly believe that data is key to opening doors to new opportunities, resources, better programmes, and improved results. As such, I pledge my government’s full support for the implementation of this project as part of our broad engagement and collaboration with the United Nations towards progress of the Sustainable Development Goals, he assured.
Representative of UN Women Multi-Country office – Caribbean, Tonni Brodber, said UN Women’s focus in this joint programme was a critical one - to increase recognition and valuing of unpaid care and domestic work, which constitutes almost half of the total global work time.
“No country in CARICOM has data to measure unpaid domestic and care work. Absence of data on this means that women’s work and contribution to the economy will remain unrecognized. With support from the UN Women MCO-Caribbean, countries, including Barbados and Montserrat, will be gaining skills and knowledge how to collect and analyse this critical data,” she explained, while noting that “ addressing the gendered imbalance of unpaid care work is urgent business.
Officer-in-Charge, UNFPA Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean, Jewell Quallo-Rosberg, told the forum, UNFPA continues to advocate for the use of population data and gender statistics to “lift the cloak of invisibility from persons most vulnerable to discrimination and inequality.”
She added that population data would also help beneficiary Governments to plan for development and better respond to crises, including natural disasters. “Everything we do is based upon solid data and evidence – because you can’t change what you can’t see. To get to zero, we need to identify and reach those most in need. Quality population data and evidence can help us get there.”
Also addressing the ceremony were other implementing partner Government representatives Mrs. Annette Weekes, Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs and Investment Division of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment, Barbados, Mr. Kenya Lee, Deputy Financial Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic management, Montserrat and Ms. Deonne Semple, Director, Planning and Policy Division, Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, Montserrat.
---Ends---
Media Contacts:
Carol-Ann Gaskin, Development Coordination Officer, Programme Communications and Advocacy
UN Resident Coordinator Office; Email: carol-ann.gaskin@un.org: Telephone: 1(246) 467-6110
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Story
10 March 2023
PAHO Representative Meets with Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis
Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, received a courtesy call from the PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean – Dr Amalia Del Riego and Country Programme Specialist for St Kitts and Nevis – Anneke Wilson on March 7, 2023.
The update regarding the same was shared by the government of St. Kitts and Nevis, informing that the meeting was also attended by some of the ministers of twin-island federation. The post by the administration stated, “The meeting was also attended by Dr Sharon Archibald, Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, and Dr Hazel Laws, Chief Medical Officer.”
The government also informed that PAHO/WHO and government officials ended the day with a visit to the Joseph N France General Hospital for the Unveiling of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Plaque, the Official handover of the PCR Machine, and a tour of the Mental Health Treatment Centre.
The release further shared that following the meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr. Del Riego visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to present her Letter of Credentials to Dr Denzil Llewellyn Douglas, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier, Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew attended the 30th Pan American Sanitary Conference of PAHO, the 74th Session of the Regional Committee of WHO (World Health Organization) for The Americas, which was held from the 26th-30th September 2022 in Washington DC, USA.
*(Written by George Henry, Writeups24 and edited by Java Sealy, RCO Social Media and Communications Associate)
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Story
10 March 2023
Barbados Stock Exchange becomes a member of the United Nations Global Compact
The Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE) has joined the regional chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
To date, 20 regional companies have joined over 17,000 global counterparts in signing on to initiative spearheaded by the Office of the UN Secretary General. Global Compact supports companies to align their operations with sustainable business practices, with respect for the principles of human rights, labour rights, environmental responsibility, and anti-corruption.
Speaking shortly after becoming signatory to the regional body, Managing Director of the BSE, Mr. Marlon Yarde said joining the Global Compact was an incremental step that followed organically from their association with the United Nations’ Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative (SSEI).
“This was a strategic move for the Barbados Stock Exchange, that only further reinforces our commitment to sustainability best practices. Now that we’re vertically affiliated with the UN’s sustainability arm, the BSE stands to benefit from broad and specific technical assistance and research that will allow us to champion sustainable and responsible business practices within our listed companies,” he underlined.
UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mr. Didier Trebucq, lauded the steps taken by the Barbados Stock Exchange in recognizing the value of the UN initiative and urged other regional businesses to follow suit.
“Just over one year since recruitment commenced in the region, the Global Compact Caribbean Network is growing steadily, and I remain very optimistic about its success. I am confident the Barbados Stock Exchange will gain significantly from its membership, and I encourage other Caribbean businesses to come on board as we collectively work towards building more resilient businesses in the region, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals,” he added.
Responsible for leading the ongoing engagement with the private sector, Global Compact Multi-Country Manager, Mr. Leslie Gittens, said having recognized that many businesses in Barbados had not yet heard of the Global Compact, they were “ramping up efforts to increase awareness within the business community of this important resource.”
“Participants in the Global Compact Caribbean Network benefit from opportunities to network with peers and experts in various industries internationally, regionally, and locally, through online and in-person events. The resources and guidance tools on sustainable business practices available to members are vast, and studies have shown conclusively how participating in the Global Compact has improved customer relations as well as profitability,” he concluded.
------ENDS-------
For further Information please contact:
Carol A. Gaskin
Development Coordination Officer, Programme Communications and Advocacy
UN Resident Coordinator Office
Email: Carol-Ann.gaskin@un.org.
Telephone:1 (246) 467-6110 (L) 1 (246) 832-6110 (M)
Leslie Gittens
Multi-Country Manager (Caribbean), United Nations Global Compact
UN Resident Coordinator Office
Email: gittens@unglobalcompact.org
Telephone: 1(246) 230-3284 (M)
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Story
21 February 2023
Saint Lucian elected chair of UN Decolonization Committee
The UN Special Committee on Decolonization has elected Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), H.E. Menissa Rambally, as its Chair for 2023.
The 29-member body was established by the UN General Assembly in 1961 to monitor the implementation of the Declaration on the granting of Independence to colonial Countries and Peoples, a human rights instrument, which, "solemnly proclaims the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations."
When the United Nations was established in 1945, 750 million people — almost a third of the world's population at the time — lived in Territories that were non-self-governing and dependent on colonial powers. Since then, more than 80 former colonies have gained their independence leaving only 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remaining under the purview of the UN Special Committee on Decolonization.
Today, fewer than 2 million people live in these territories, seven of which are in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands — all governed by the United Kingdom — and the United States Virgin Islands, which is governed by the United States.
Following her election on 16 February, 2023, Rambally recalled that the Special Committee's 2022 regional seminar held in Saint Lucia last May helped lead to 20 draft resolutions and decisions of the Special Committee being adopted by the UN General Assembly. She highlighted that a significant number of petitioners and representatives from as many as 13 of the 17 remaining Territories had engaged with the Special Committee, enriching its consideration of their situations and the decolonisation issue as a whole.
Noting that the work of the Special Committee will continue so long as there remain Non-Self-Governing Territories on its list, she said the body will address the needs and situation of each Territory on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the Territory’s particular circumstances.
“In this engaging spirit, let us seek to initiate innovative steps for the current session," Rambally said.
Secretary-General says Non-Self-Governing Territories must be heard ‘loud and clear’
Encouraging deeper collaboration and constructive dialogue to expedite the end of colonialism, United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, opened the Special Decolonization Committee’s Annual Session by saying that meeting the aspirational needs of small island territories under the purview of the Special Committee on Decolonization must be prioritised as a global responsibility.
“The concerns of the Territories are varied, and we must ensure their voices are heard loud and clear,” he asserted, adding that “accelerating the decolonisation agenda is a collective endeavour”.
Most NSGTs are small islands exposed to rising sea levels and are particularly vulnerable to climate disasters. “They are at the frontline of climate emergency,” the UN Chief warned. he said that the global community must ensure that these territories have the requisite resources and support to build resilience and invest in their future.
The Secretary-General's statement was delivered by Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča, to open the 2023 session of the special committee, known formally as the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
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Story
01 March 2023
Barbadian Youth To Benefit From Expanded UNICEF Partnership
The Barbados Government is seeking to scale up community level youth programmes with assistance from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, and UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean, Pieter Bult, met recently at the Ministry’s headquarters and discussed broadening existing programmes to extend the age range of youth engagement to children under ten years old.
Mr. Bult noted: “This is a critical age group that requires special attention and support as they transition from primary to secondary education and face various challenges and opportunities in life.”
Mr. Griffith indicated that the Ministry had developed a new programme that targeted a younger demographic.
“We have just launched a national mentorship programme and we’re targeting mentees 13 to 17…and another to come on stream called “Moving On”, the Youth Minister stated.
The two officials also discussed mobilising the youth; building a base within the adolescent demographic; empowering the disabled community; climate change; augmenting the National Summer Camps, and UNICEF’s new online programme, YOMO, a gamify, interactive learning tool.
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Story
01 March 2023
FAO Fish Silage Pilot Project yielding positive results
This was one of the main areas discussed when a team from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) toured the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex and Fisheries Division on Monday.
The team included FAO Director General, Dr Qu Dongyu; Deputy Director General Maria Semedo; FAO Sub-regional Coordinator Dr Renata Clarke, and the Sixth Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. They were joined by Minister of the Environment and National Beautification with responsibility for the Blue and Green Economy Adrian Forde; Permanent Secretary Sonia Foster, and Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox.
After the tour, the delegation met and discussed the state of the Fish Silage Pilot Project in Barbados. During that meeting, Minister Forde said the transformation of fish silage to animal feed formed part of the circular economy, and the sustainable development of fisherfolk.
Fish silage is a liquid product produced from the whole fish or parts. Acids, enzymes or bacteria are added, which, over time, change the mass from solids to liquids by breaking down the components. The fish waste is ground and mixed with molasses and a culture of microorganisms and then fermented for three days. The waste can be used to make fertiliser, as liquid feed for pigs, mixed with other components and pelletised to make a ration for rabbits and sheep.
The aim of the pilot project was to lay the foundation for the women of the Central Fish Processors Association (CFPA) to invest in the fish silage-based feed business. Service provider and head of Philip Lashley Associates Philip Lashley said studies from the pilot project showed that silage ration was just as good as the commercial products as it helped the animals to gain weight.
“The waste-to-feed programme offers the opportunity to reduce the cost of feed bills,” he stated.
Noting that efforts were underway to upscale the project to meet local demand, Mr Lashley suggested that a public/private sector approach be adopted to see its implementation.
FAO’s Fishery and Aquaculture Officer and Secretary of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission Dr Yvette Diei Ouadi explained that the fish silage initiative started three years ago and provided opportunities to foster a circular economy and promoted environmental sustainability.
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Press Release
28 March 2023
OECS Countries Plan for Management of Cross-border Movements Due to Disasters and Climate Change
Member States of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are now one step closer to having a common protocol for cross border evacuation and displacement in the context of disasters, environmental degradation and climate change. Representatives of the governments of the Member States met in a hybrid event hosted in Saint Lucia, between 21-22 March 2023 to consider the best practices already demonstrated in past responses in the OECS, and to work together to draft protocols that are people-centred, comprehensive, context-specific, and prevention oriented, and are fit for purpose based on the principles of the human security approach.
During the 2-day workshop, 43 technical officers came together to propose context-specific ways to deal with cross-border movements of people into or out of their countries due to disasters, environmental degradation and climate change. Officers represented the fields of disaster management, environment, foreign affairs, immigration and national security, representatives of national Red Cross societies, and of regional agencies such as the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security CARICOM IMPACS, the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the OECS , the Platform for Disaster Displacement (PDD) and UN entities such as the Human Security Unit, UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Recent devastating events, Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017), and the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (2021) provided many learning opportunities worth sharing across the region, and made for practical understanding of the implications of disasters, environmental degradation and climate change on affected countries and on countries that host displaced people, the complex effects on the lives of individuals affected, and ways in which these can be managed for improved human security.
All participants acknowledged the need to plan for cross-border displacement in the event of disasters, and how Member States of the OECS countries could collectively manage these events in a manner that would not overburden states, and still protect and empower affected people in such eventualities. Participants left with a commitment to fine-tune a proposed Ministerial Declaration on human mobility in contexts of disasters, environmental degradation, and climate change.
Participants contributed to review of draft protocols to outline all the steps to be considered by countries receiving evacuees displaced due to disaster or migrating due to environmental factors or climate change, and also steps applicable to countries directly impacted and therefore with citizens potentially displaced to other countries. Participants left the workshop with a commitment to also provide comments to fine-tune a proposed Ministerial Declaration on human mobility in contexts of disasters, environmental degradation, and climate change.
The workshop “Mainstreaming the Human Security Approach to Environmental Migration and Disaster Displacement” was organized by the IOM Dominica office as part of a Joint Programme under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and was held in Saint Lucia in partnership with the OECS and with funding from the UN Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS).
For information on IOM and its work in the Eastern Caribbean - call, text or WhatsApp (767) 275-3225 or email malleyne@iom.int
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Press Release
28 March 2023
Making a change “drop by drop” | UNDP World Water Day Op Ed
While the devastating effects of these natural hazards to lives and livelihoods is at the forefront, a less spoken about impact is the region’s ability to maintain a consistent water supply. The higher variability of the climate has led to significant changes in weather patterns leading to increased occurrence of droughts and shifts in the timing of wet and dry seasons. These changing weather patterns, paired with poor land-use management has resulted in the change or loss of habitats and ecosystems. Some permanent streams and freshwater ponds are disappearing, as are the ecosystems that depend on them. In some instances, fresh water is dependent upon desalinization. In the past, the natural habitat supported a secure and safe supply of fresh water. Currently in the region, access to reliable water sources is becoming increasingly challenging.
This World Water Day, the UN is focussing on positive ways to use and manage water. Rainwater capture and storage for domestic and agricultural use is a nature-positive way to address the issue, and when combined with ecosystem restoration it can have biodiversity co-benefits. Using this method, in the UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean will be working with with vulnerable communities in the islands of Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to increase access to secure, nature-friendly water supplies and to enhance ecosystem conservation for improved water resources management, both in communities and at the governance level. And while this sub-regional project, supported by the Government of Canada, will provide high level technical assistance and capacity development to national stakeholders, there are small ways that each and every person can take action in their own lives to conserve and manage water.
Barbados also relies on rainwater to replenish its ground water supply, and as one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, Barbados also experiences the impacts in irregular water supply. While we cannot change the climate, we can adjust our behaviour to conserve water and promote better water management practices. The global campaign, “Be the change”, encourages people to take action in own lives to change the way we all use, consume and manage water.
The campaign is inspired by the hummingbird from an ancient story which originated with the Quechua people in Peru. In the story, the forest has caught on fire and the little hummingbird flies back and forth from the lake bring water in an attempt to extinguish the flames. The other animals laugh at the hummingbird stating that she will never be able to stop the fire, to which she responds, “I am doing what I can.”
So what can we do? As individuals, we may not be able to make a giant impact alone, but if we do what little we can, our collective efforts can effect change. This World Water Day is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. Water affects us all, and taking inspiration from the hummingbird in the story, we can all take action to be the change we need.
For more information on World Water Day and how you can make small changes to help visit https://www.unwater.org/bethechange. For more information on how UNDP is working to promote water resilience in the Caribbean visit www.undp.org/Barbados.
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Press Release
28 March 2023
Early Warnings For All Initiative scaled up into action on the ground
New York, 21 March 2023 - A global initiative to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by early warnings by 2027 is being fast-tracked into action on the ground. A recent record-breaking tropical cyclone in Southeast Africa once again shows the paramount importance of these services to save lives and livelihoods from increasingly extreme weather and climate events.
To aid this work, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has convened an Advisory Panel of leaders of UN agencies, multilateral development banks, humanitarian organizations, civil society, insurance and IT companies on 21 March. The aim is to inject more political, technological and financial clout to ensure that Early Warnings for All becomes a reality for everyone, everywhere.
The months ahead will see stepped up coordinated action, initially in 30 particularly at-risk countries, including Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. Additional countries are expected to be added as this vital work with partners gathers pace, scale and resourcing.
At the same time, the UN’s existing actions and initiatives to save lives and livelihoods, and build resilience across a wide range of other countries will continue and be reinforced, ensuring the Early Warnings for All campaign turns its pledges into life-saving reality on the ground for millions of the most vulnerable people. The aim is not to re-invent the wheel, but rather promote collaboration and synergies and to harness the power of mobile phones and mass communications.
“Now it is time for us to deliver results. Millions of lives are hanging in the balance, It is unacceptable that the countries and peoples that have contributed the least to creating the crisis are paying the heaviest prices,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
“People in Africa, South Asia, South and Central America, and small island states are 15 times more likely to die from climate disasters. These deaths are preventable. The evidence is clear: early warning systems are one of the most effective risk reduction and climate adaptation measures to reduce disaster mortality and economic losses,” said Mr Guterres.
The need is urgent.
In the past 50 years, the number of recorded disasters has increased by a factor of five, driven in part by human-induced climate change which is super-charging our weather. This trend is expected to continue.
If no action is taken, the number of medium- or large-scale disaster events is projected to reach 560 a year – or 1.5 each day – by 2030.
The occurrence of severe weather and the effects of climate change will increase the difficulty, uncertainty, and complexity of emergency response efforts worldwide.
Preventable deaths
Half of countries globally do not have adequate early warning systems and even fewer have regulatory frameworks to link early warnings to emergency plans.
“The unprecedented flooding in Mozambique, Malawi and Madagascar from Tropical Cyclone Freddy highlights once again that our weather and precipitation is becoming more extreme and that water-related hazards are on the rise,” said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas. “The worst affected areas have received months’ worth of rainfall in a matter of days and the socio-economic impacts are catastrophic.”
“Accurate early warnings combined with coordinated disaster management on the ground prevented the casualty toll from rising even higher. But we can do even better and that is why the Early Warnings for All initiative is the top priority for WMO. Besides avoiding damages the weather, climate and hydrological services are economically beneficial for agriculture, air, marine and ground transportation, energy, health, tourism and various businesses,” he said.
WMO and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) are spearheading the Early Warnings for All initiative, along with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
“The operationalization of this initiative is a clear example of how the UN System and partners can work together to save lives and protect livelihoods from disasters. Inclusive and multi-hazard early warning systems that close the ‘last mile’ are among the best risk reduction methods in the face of climate-related hazards and geophysical hazards such as tsunamis. Achieving this is not only a clear target in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction but a moral imperative as well,” said Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR.
Climate Change Adaptation
Early warning systems are widely regarded as the “low-hanging fruit” for climate change adaptation because they are a relatively cheap and effective way of protecting people and assets from hazards, including storms, floods, heatwaves and tsunamis to name a few.
Early Warning Systems provide more than a tenfold return on investment
Just 24 hours’ notice of an impending hazardous event can cut the ensuing damage by 30 per cent.
The Global Commission on Adaptation found that spending just US$800 million on such systems in developing countries would avoid losses of $3 to 16 billion per year.
“When disaster strikes, people and communities can turn to technology as a lifeline,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “By leading the work of the UN Early Warnings for All initiative on ‘Warning Dissemination and Communication,’ ITU is helping ensure that those at risk can act in time to our increasingly climate-vulnerable world.”
Alerts can be sent via radio and television channels, by social media, and with sirens. ITU recommends an inclusive, people-centered approach using the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), a standardized data format for public warnings, to keep messages coherent across different channels.
“Early warnings that translate into preparedness and response save lives. As climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent, more intense and more deadly, they are essential for everyone, but one in three people globally are still not covered. Early warning systems are the most effective and dignified way to prevent an extreme weather event from creating a humanitarian crisis - especially for the most vulnerable and remote communities who bear the brunt of it. No lives should be lost in a predictable disaster,” said IFRC Secretary-General Jagan Chapagain.
Advisory Panel
The Early Warnings for All initiative calls for initial new targeted investments between 2023 and 2027 of US$ 3.1 billion – a sum which would be dwarfed by the benefits. This is a small fraction (about 6 per cent) of the requested US$ 50 billion in adaptation financing. It would cover strengthening disaster risk knowledge, observations and forecasting, preparedness and response, and communication of early warnings.
A range of new and pre-existing innovative financing solutions are required to implement the plan to protect every person on Earth. These include a scaling up of the Climate Risk Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Initiative, the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), and accelerated investment programmes of climate funds, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund, and key Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), as well as other innovative new financial instruments across all stakeholders of the early warning value chain.
The Advisory Panel meeting will consider advancing the four key Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) pillars:
Disaster risk knowledge and management (US$374 million) : aims to collect data and undertake risk assessments to increase knowledge on hazards and vulnerabilities and trends. Led by UNDRR with support from WMO .
Detection, observations, monitoring, analysis and forecasting of hazards (US$1.18 billion). Develop hazard monitoring and early warning services. Led by WMO, with support from UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Dissemination and communication (US$ 550 million). Communicate risk information so it reaches all those who need it, and is understandable and usable. Led by ITU, with support from IFRC, UNDP, and WMO.
Preparedness and response ($1 billion) : Build national and community response capabilities.
Led by IFRC, with support from Risk Informed Early Action Partnership (REAP), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Food Programme (WFP).
Notes for Editors :
Background to the initiative
The Early Warnings For All Initiative (EW4All) was formally launched by the UN Secretary-General in November 2022 at the COP27 meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh.
The Initiative calls for the whole world to be covered by an early warning system by the end of 2027.
Early Warnings for All is co-led by WMO and UNDRR and supported by pillar leads ITU and IFRC. Implementing partners are: FAO, OCHA, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, REAP, and WFP.
The Advisory Panel will monitor and report on the progress against the achievement of the goal to the UN Secretary-General, and has the following objectives:
(1) Assess progress of the Early Warnings for All initiative against its goals and targets
(2) Build political and overall momentum and support for the Early Warnings for All initiative
(3) Provide overall recommendations for the mobilization of resources, and
(4) Monitor scientific and technical development related to early warning systems
Initial countries.
The UN Secretary-General has sent a letter to heads of state and government of an initial group of countries to receive coordinated and targeted support. This list will be expanded in the future and UN support for other countries will continue in the meantime.
Asia and Pacific: Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Cambodia
Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga
Africa: Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Chad, Comoros, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Niger, South Sudan, Uganda
Latin Americ and Caribbean: Guyana, Haiti, Barbados, Antigua Barbuda, Guatemala, Ecuador
Central Asia: Tajikistan Membership of Advisory Panel Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General Implementing Partners: UN Development Programme UN Environment Programme UN Women Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Executive Office of the Secretary-General Green Climate Fund Microsoft GSMA Insurance Development Forum Climate Action Network SG’s Youth Advisory Group African Development Bank COP 27 Presidency COP 28 Presidency
Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga
Africa: Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Chad, Comoros, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Niger, South Sudan, Uganda
Latin Americ and Caribbean: Guyana, Haiti, Barbados, Antigua Barbuda, Guatemala, Ecuador
Central Asia: Tajikistan Membership of Advisory Panel Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General Implementing Partners: UN Development Programme UN Environment Programme UN Women Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Executive Office of the Secretary-General Green Climate Fund Microsoft GSMA Insurance Development Forum Climate Action Network SG’s Youth Advisory Group African Development Bank COP 27 Presidency COP 28 Presidency
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Press Release
17 March 2023
Eastern Caribbean States Collaborate on Innovative Approaches to Tackle Climate-Induced Displacement and Environmental Migration
The Caribbean has been hit by increasingly severe weather events caused by climate change, while also being seismically active and volcanic.
Representatives will identify best practices to address cross border movements and work on protocols for cross-border evacuations of people affected by disasters in the OECS. The protocols will help guide governments in strategically building resilience, recognizing the conditions that threaten the survival, livelihood, and dignity of their citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, when they are forced to move.
The OECS' goal is to plan for the possibility of cross-border evacuations while ensuring more effective outcomes for the affected people. The human security approach goes beyond immediate responses and is prevention-oriented, analyzing the underlying causes of complex challenges and developing solutions that protect and empower the most vulnerable community members.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is set to host the workshop, in partnership with the donor, the UN Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS). Other contributing stakeholders include the UN Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Platform for Disaster Displacement (PDD) and the OECS Commission.
As the region braces itself for the future effects of climate change, this workshop represents a crucial step towards safeguarding the well-being of the Eastern Caribbean's communities. The OECS' innovative and collaborative approach to addressing climate-induced displacement and environmental migration will be closely watched by experts and policymakers across the globe.
For information on the work of the IOM and its work in the Eastern Caribbean, call, text or WhatsApp (767) 275-3225 or malleyne@iom.int
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Press Release
17 March 2023
UN Secretary-General announces new youth climate advisers; calls on young people globally to ratchet up pressure this year
NEW YORK, 16 March 2023 — UN Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the seven young climate leaders who will form his next Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and called on young people everywhere to ratchet up the pressure, acknowledging their vital role keeping the world’s climate goals alive.
The announcement comes as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change meets in Switzerland to finalize its landmark Synthesis Report, the first since the Paris Agreement was struck in 2015. The report is expected to confirm that the world is dramatically off-track in its climate efforts but can still keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius with deep and urgent emissions cuts in all sectors.
“Climate change is the fight of our lives – and young people have been on the frontlines leading the charge for climate justice. The unrelenting conviction of young people is central to keeping climate goals within reach, kicking the world’s addiction to fossil fuels, and delivering climate justice,” said the Secretary-General.
“Today, I am proud to announce the seven young leaders who will form my next Youth Advisory Group, working side-by-side with young climate activists and experts around the world. I thank my inaugural Youth Advisory Group for their tireless work throughout their two-year term to bring youth perspectives directly to me.”
“I urge young climate advocates everywhere to keep raising your voices. I am honoured to stand with young people around the world for bolder climate action.”
The seven members of the new Youth Advisory Group are:
Ayisha Siddiqa (United States) is a Pakistani- American human rights and tribal land defender. She is the Co-founder of Polluters Out and Fossil Free University. Her work focuses on uplifting the rights of marginalized communities while holding polluting companies accountable at the international level. She is currently a research scholar at NYU School of Law, university working to bridge the environmental and human rights sector with the youth climate movement. Ayisha was recently named a Time magazine Woman of the Year.
Beniamin Strzelecki (Poland) is a climate action and energy transition advocate. He coordinated a global network of youth-led energy organizations and worked with intergovernmental entities, including the International Renewable Energy Agency, Sustainable Energy for All, and the UN Industrial Development Organization to create opportunities for young people in the energy transition field. As a researcher, Beniamin worked on the economics of renewable power generation deployment at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the German Institute for Economic Research. He currently co-chairs the Student Energy Summit 2023 and continues his studies at New York University Abu Dhabi.
Fatou Jeng (The Gambia) is dedicated to grassroots, national, and international mobilization as a climate educator, frontline activist, and campaigner. Fatou founded Clean Earth Gambia in 2017, a youth-led, local climate organization that has mobilized thousands of Gambian young people to help marginalized and vulnerable communities build resilience to climate change. She has served as Co-lead for the YOUNGO women and gender working group and is also a member of the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) where she supports the implementation of the network’s projects. Fatou holds a Master's degree in Environment, Development, and Policy from the University of Sussex. She is also a gender climate negotiator for The Gambia to the UNFCCC and was recognized as TOP 100 Young African Conservation Leader by WWF in 2022
Jevanic Henry (Saint Lucia) is a climate and development professional and advocate. He previously served as Climate Change Special Envoy for the Caribbean Youth Environment Network and was a United Nations Foundation’s Next Generation Fellow. Jevanic worked as a Foreign Service Officer with the Government of Saint Lucia, as well as with the climate change unit of the Commonwealth Secretariat and co-authored a practical guide on enhancing access to climate finance. He is currently an Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Fellow, assigned to the Permanent Mission of Saint Lucia to the United Nations in New York.
Josefa Tauli (Philippines) is an Ibaloi-Kankanaey Igorot indigenous youth activist. She is Policy Co-coordinator of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), which serves as the youth constituency to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). An advocate for meaningful youth participation, human rights, and Indigenous Peoples’ rights and knowledge, she has coordinated the engagement of youth delegations to more than 10 rounds of CBD negotiations during the development of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. She is also the Advocacy Officer of Partners for Indigenous Knowledge Philippines (PIKP), a learning network of 3 organizations and individuals with initiatives on promoting and strengthening Indigenous knowledge.
Joice Mendez (Colombia/Paraguay) is a migrant, social entrepreneur, and climate advocate focused on the nexus of water, food and energy justice. Joice co-founded several local and regional youth organizations, including the Moema Viezzer Environmental Education Observatory, the Latin American Observatory of Geopolitics of Energy, and the binational Youth Collective of the Parana Basin 3 from the Cultivating Good Water Initiative– a recipient of the UN-Water Best Practice Award in 2015. Joice has also supported Paraguay's National Conference of Youth since 2016 and the National Forum of Water and Youth, and continues to be active in YOUNGO, the Climate Reality Project América Latina, SDG7 Youth Constituency, and the Youth Adaptation Network of the Global Center on Adaptation.
Saoirse Exton (Ireland) is a climate justice activist with Fridays for Future. As a proud Gaeilgeoir (Irish-language speaker), Saoirse believes that the wealth of knowledge held in traditional languages and storytelling can re-establish the vital concept of Earth as sacred within capitalism imposed mindsets. In 2021, she was one of 100 inaugural winners of the Rise, an initiative of Schmidt Futures and the Rhodes Trust, for her work researching and rewriting Irish mythology from different perspectives, including bringing women and queer characters to the foreground.
“The climate crisis is the culmination of centuries of exploitative and extractivist policy and attitudes. It is vital that we, as young people, are brought into the fray of decision-making on climate change so that we may continue to represent our generation in protecting our planet,” said Saoirse Exton.
“Young people, Indigenous peoples are hungry for social-ecological justice. I hope this opportunity to be here creates change for our communities on the frontline who are impacted the most by climate change and biodiversity loss, yet continually show us the path toward the transformation in governance and values that we urgently need,” said Josefa Tauli.
"We are facing a climate emergency that is affecting the most vulnerable people, particularly women and girls. With 7 years of climate experience, my goal is to champion climate adaptation and encourage world leaders to prioritize climate justice in their actions,” said Fatou Jeng.
“Coming from a small island developing state, the climate crisis continues to be relentless in negatively impacting lives and livelihoods. Our survival is now dependent on a global community which is unified in urgently advancing the climate agenda, with the power of young people being a catalyst to drive this much needed accelerated action,” said Jevanic Henry.
"Rapid and ambitious decarbonization of the energy sector is the backbone of meeting the climate goals and I hope that as a member of the Youth Advisory Group I will be able to bring the attention of the Secretary-General and other global leaders to priorities that we have been emphasizing as young people in the energy transition movement, ranging from access to finance to capacity building, to creation of opportunities for young professionals," said Beniamin Strzelecki.
“As an organizer and youth activist, I have been working towards pushing the intergovernmental space further on climate ambition. It is a great honor to continue doing this work as an advisor to the Secretary-General,” said Ayisha Siddiqa.
“I'm very thrilled to join the Secretary General in his efforts to deliver climate justice through effective loss and damage schemes, supporting access to finance to youth, and fostering energy justice frameworks for the global energy transition. As a migrant youth, I understand climate change doesn't have borders, and that we need to learn to act within the logic of nature,” said Joice Mendez
The members of the Youth Advisory Group are drawn from all regions as well as small island states, and bring a wide diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and areas of climate expertise. They were short-listed and selected from a large pool of candidates nominated by respected youth and climate organization from around the world, following the same process used for selection of the inaugural Youth Advisory Group (2020 to 2022).
"The youth climate movement is not only demanding climate action, but they are also leading the charge towards a more sustainable future. Through their tireless activism, young climate leaders have successfully raised awareness about the urgent need to address the climate crisis while also calling on governments and corporations to take more ambitious action. The Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change offers one important channel here at the UN through which we can work closely with young people as part of our decision-making on climate action, channeling their passion, determination and willingness to speak truth to power to help get the world back on track to achieving the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and delivering on a better future that is equitable, just, and sustainable for all,” said Jayathma Wickramanayake, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth.
The members of the Youth Advisory Group will consult widely, and work collaboratively and inclusively with youth climate movements and leaders around the world, to bring youth perspectives and solutions directly to the Secretary-General, and to major climate moments and decision-making fora.
Today’s announcement is part of the UN’s actions to implement the recommendations in Our Common Agenda and take the UN’s youth engagement to the next level in terms of diversity, inclusiveness, empowerment, and impact.
More information on the inaugural Youth Advisory Group – which served from 2020 to 2022 – as well as the nomination criteria is here.
Media Contact: matthew.coghlan@un.org
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