UN Secretary General Urges Climate Aid for Small Island Nations at SIDS4

Secretary General for the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has expressed support to small island nations including Belize, as it relates to the push for international aid for climate change mitigation.  His minute address was delivered at the opening of the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4).  Guterres noted that the idea that an entire state can be eliminated or damaged due to the actions by other nations is unacceptable.  He called on the G-20 countries that fail to cut greenhouse gases and further called on the small island nations to raise their voices for financial justice.

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General: “The new Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS outlines steps to achieve resilient prosperity in partnership with the international community. The United Nations stands with you in reaffirming SID’s aspirations to hold and mitigate the terrible impacts of the climate crisis. To build resilient economies, to foster safe, health and prosperous societies, to achieve water, food and energy security, to conserve biodiversity and to protect and sustainably use the ocean and its resources. The international community has a duty to support you, led by the countries that have greatest responsibility and capacity to deal with the challenges we face. SIDS are a test case for climate justice and financial justice. We cannot accept the disappearance of any country or culture under the rising waves. The idea that an entire island state could become collateral damage for profiteering by the fossil fuel industry or competition between major economies is simply obscene. Today, we need your fierce voices more than ever. Calling out the G20 countries that failed to cut emissions of greenhouse gases, and G20 represents 80% of the emissions. Small island developing states have every right and reason to insist that developed economies fulfill their pledge to double adaptation finance by 2025. And we must hold them to this commitment as a bare minimum. Many SIDS desperately need adaptation measures to protect agriculture, fisheries, water resources and infrastructure from extreme climate impacts you did virtually nothing to create. Excellencies, dear friends, at times of crisis it may be tempting to turn inward to lower expectations and to dim hopes. But that is not the SIDS way. Collaboration and mutual support and help have allowed SIDS to be able to face the consequences of geopolitical storms and physical storms. And when you speak together six can make an almighty noise. And I urge you to do so at this critical time for our planet and our future.”