The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has identified Ministerial Champions for key negotiation areas during the Twenty-Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which began 11 November in Baku, Azerbaijan. At COP29, CARICOM Member States will advocate for urgent climate action and robust financial commitments to address the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The ministerial strategic leads who will spearhead high-level political advocacy during the negotiations and engage in key bilaterals in the margins to ensure CARICOM priorities are recognised and reflected in COP29 outcomes are:

Just Transition: The Honourable Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development, Government of Trinidad and Tobago; 

Finance and the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG):  The Honourable Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Government of Belize; 

Loss and Damage: Senator The Hon. Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister of State for Climate Resilience in the Office of the Prime Minister of Barbados. The Honourable Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will provide support. 

Global Stocktake: The Honourable Kerryne James, Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy Government of Grenada; 

Markets: The Honourable Dr. Marciano Dasai, Minister of Spatial Planning and Environment, Government of Suriname; and

Adaptation: The Honourable Cozier Frederick, Minister for the Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment, Government of Dominica.

CARICOM’s approach to COP29 is anchored in the principles of limiting global warming to below 1.5°C, emphasising science-driven action and reinforcing the special circumstances of SIDS. It is a landmark year for financing as CARICOM seeks to secure a climate finance goal that guarantees access for SIDS to grant-based or concessional finance, especially for Adaptation and Loss and Damage respectively, through minimum allocation floors and highest levels of concessionality for SIDS.