Ministerial Champions ‘a very necessary arrangement’

The identification of ministerial leads for negotiations around sustainable development and the environment ensures the amplification of the needs and concerns of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ms. Amrikha Singh, Programme Manager, Sustainable Development at the CARICOM Secretariat said.

Last year, in preparation for COP 29 negotiations, the Region identified Ministerial Champions to enhance its representation and coordination. The Champions for key areas of negotiation are:

• Just Transition: Honourable Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development, Trinidad and Tobago;
• Finance and the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG):  Honourable Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Belize;
• Global Stocktake: Honourable Kerryne James, Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy, Grenada;
• Markets: Honourable Dr. Marciano Dasai, Minister of Spatial Planning and Environment, Suriname; and
• Adaptation: Honourable Cozier Frederick, Minister for the Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment, Dominica.
• 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.

Ms. Singh said the strategy adds political weight to the work done by technical personnel in the year-round negotiations.

“It’s a very necessary arrangement and this sort of support is absolutely needed,” she said.

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