Representatives from the Ministry of Sustainable Development are currently in Baku, Azerbaijan for the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP29. Belize is there to sound the alarm for the need for more and urgent climate financing for developing countries, especially those that fall under SIDS. Here is a snippet of the speech from the CEO in the ministry.
Kenrick Williams, CEO, Ministry of Sustainable Development
"Every climate-related disaster serves as a profound reminder. Adaptation investment is not a luxury, nor is it a charity. Rather, it is indispensable for our survival. Like other SIDS, we face unique vulnerabilities with limited capacity to adapt."
"Just this past Sunday, tropical storm Sara made landfall in Belize, bring intense rainfall, widespread flooding, and threatening lives and livelihoods of our people. Coupled with the most severe wildfires this year, and Hurricane Lisa in 2023, aggregate loss and damage stands over $200 million, or over 6% of GDP in just two years."
"Regrettably, this cycle of loss and damage recurs much too often. This is why we need doubling of adaptation finance, and we need fast tracking of loss and damage finance. Belize, a small nation with an overwhelming stake in this crisis stands here, not just with words, but with the weight of our people's future."
"Our position is clear. Climate justice and equity must prevail."
The conference runs from November 11th to the 22nd.
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