标签： Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda’s Climate Change Ambassador, Ruleta Camacho-Thomas, has expressed deep disappointment with the outcomes of COP30, stating that the final agreement lacks the necessary ambition to safeguard the world’s most vulnerable nations. Speaking to BBC News from Belém, Brazil, Camacho-Thomas highlighted the limited progress made at the summit, particularly in areas of mitigation, adaptation, and climate finance. She criticized the exclusion of fossil fuels from the final text and the minimal attention given to deforestation, describing these omissions as significant setbacks. Despite these shortcomings, she acknowledged that negotiators managed to prevent any regression from previous agreements, maintaining a fragile equilibrium. Camacho-Thomas pointed to the inclusion of language on tripling adaptation finance as a hard-won achievement, though she emphasized that this pledge remains insufficient. She stressed the urgent need for implementation of both current and past COP agreements, warning that small island states cannot afford to wait for future summits to address their pressing climate challenges. The ambassador expressed cautious optimism that Brazil, which holds the COP presidency until next year, will push for greater ambition in the coming months. However, she underscored the necessity for immediate action, particularly in discussions on fossil fuels and adaptation. Despite her frustrations with the slow pace of negotiations, Camacho-Thomas defended the COP process as a critical platform for developing countries and small island states to voice their concerns and secure binding decisions. With Antigua and Barbuda facing escalating climate impacts, including intensifying storms and rising sea levels, she called for urgent international assistance to bolster resilience and mitigate future losses.

During the COP30 session in Belém, Brazil, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne issued a compelling appeal to global leaders, urging them to elevate their climate ambitions and fulfill long-standing commitments. Browne emphasized that small island nations remain disproportionately vulnerable to the escalating climate crisis. Despite a notable decline in attendance—with only 57 heads of state or government present compared to over 150 at previous summits—Browne stressed the importance of achieving tangible outcomes. He attributed the lower turnout to logistical challenges, including Belém’s remote location and the high costs of travel, which even extended his own journey to nearly 30 hours. Financial constraints further compelled some nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, to reduce delegation sizes. However, Browne praised the dedication of those in attendance, highlighting their genuine commitment to advancing climate action. He warned that the world is nearing the critical threshold of a 1.5°C temperature rise, which could trigger irreversible damage and intensify extreme weather events. Browne called for swift updates to national climate plans and urged major emitters to drastically reduce emissions. Addressing the criticism of unfulfilled promises from past COP summits, Browne advocated for a cultural shift, emphasizing the need for societal accountability to drive meaningful change. He welcomed early progress at COP30, including Norway’s pledge to support Brazil’s Amazon rainforest conservation efforts, and expressed hope for stronger commitments on ambition, finance, and accountability. The summit continues this week with a renewed focus on implementing the Paris Agreement and bolstering support for climate-vulnerable nations.

Three major international airlines have suspended their flights departing from Venezuela following a safety advisory issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA warned of a ‘potentially hazardous situation’ in Venezuelan airspace due to deteriorating security conditions and heightened military activity in the region. TAP Air Portugal confirmed the cancellation of its flights scheduled for Saturday and next Tuesday, citing the FAA’s alert as the primary reason. Similarly, Spain’s Iberia announced the suspension of its flights to Caracas starting Monday, though its Saturday flight from the Venezuelan capital to Madrid proceeded as planned. Copa Airlines and Wingo, however, maintained their Saturday departures from Maiquetia. The FAA’s notice highlighted risks to aircraft at all altitudes, pointing to the escalating security situation and increased military presence in and around Venezuela. Recent months have seen a significant buildup of US military assets in the region, including the deployment of the US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, eight additional warships, and F-35 fighter jets. Latam Airlines also canceled its Sunday flight to Bogota, according to Flightradar24. The situation remains fluid, with airlines closely monitoring developments to determine when it will be safe to resume operations.