Environment Ministers set stage for CARICOM coordination on multilateral environmental issues in 2025

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) must remain unified and assertive in advocating for solutions that address the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDs). 

Sir Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment of Antigua and Barbuda, delivered the charge during remarks at the opening of the virtual Second Annual Ministerial Post-Conference of the Parties (COP) Debriefing, which he chaired on 24 January. Minister Joseph is Chair of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Environment and Sustainable Development.

Over 100 delegates attended the half-day debriefing, including 13 Ministers with responsibility for the Environment, senior officials, and representatives of Regional Institutions. It was convened against the backdrop of a very active 2024 on the multilateral front for the Region, with three COPs (UN Conference on Biodiversity (UNCBD), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), as well as negotiations on the Plastics Treaty.

Minister Joseph indicated that during his Chairmanship of the COTED on the Environment and Sustainable Development, focus will be placed on strategic leadership and regional cohesion.

He said the Region’s ability to influence outcomes at the negotiation table relies heavily on timely and strategic ministerial engagement. Political leadership lends weight to the technical groundwork laid by CARICOM negotiators and underscores the urgency of regional priorities, he added.

The outcomes from Climate COP29, the biodiversity discussions in Cali, the UNCCD meeting in Riyadh, and the experience at INC5, he said, remind us of the need for coordinated regional efforts. A harmonised approach enhances the Region’s ability to advocate effectively, the Minister pointed out and added that Member States must continue to foster collaboration and ensure that the Region’s collective voice is amplified.

“With key meetings on the horizon, it is crucial that we remain not only proactive, but also agile and responsive in our approach. We must continuously assess progress, identify emerging challenges, and adjust our strategies accordingly. Our ability to adapt and engage strategically will be critical in securing favourable outcomes that align with our regional priorities and development goals,” the Chair said.

Dr. Wendell Samuel, Senior Economic Advisor to the Secretary-General, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Assistant Secretary-General (Ag.) of the Directorate of Economic Integration, Innovation and Development, stressed that enhanced coordination is needed both at the national and regional levels to address the increasing complexity and multidisciplinary nature of the negotiations. 

He cautioned that while the world seems to be increasingly looking within their national borders, CARICOM has no choice but to look to each other since our very survival depends on it.