During Climate Week NYC, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne delivered a compelling plea to wealthy nations, emphasizing the urgent need for action on climate change. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Browne highlighted the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on small island developing states (SIDS), particularly in the Caribbean. He warned that rising sea levels and extreme weather events are turning every storm into a fiscal catastrophe for these vulnerable nations. Browne urged richer countries to prioritize climate action and act swiftly to mitigate the escalating threats. His remarks echoed the concerns raised by other Caribbean leaders, including The Bahamas’ Prime Minister Philip Davis, who has previously described climate change as an ‘existential threat’ to the region. Davis stressed the importance of the Commonwealth nations amplifying their collective voice to secure climate funding and drive immediate global action. The issue was also a focal point at the COP26 summit in 2021, where CARICOM leaders expressed fears about achieving the global target of limiting temperature rises to below 1.5°C. As the world prepares for COP27, Caribbean leaders continue to advocate for equitable access to climate financing and a unified response to the crisis.
Prime Minister tells wealthy countries to act quickly as smaller nations are paying the price
