– who hails from the nearby Caribbean State Trinidad and Tobago – said the long-awaited SIDS4 conference “offers a powerful once in a decade platform” for action, under the ABAS action programme. “If we do not undertake substantive reform of the international financial framework and the multilateral architecture – and their governance – developing countries including SIDS, ”, he told the conference. The world must not allow the loss of a single country or culture due to global warming or a continuation of a where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, said in his opening address.
Mr. Guterres said along with their exceptional beauty – be it the blue waters of the Caribbean, South Pacific or the Indian Ocean – SIDS are also exceptionally vulnerable. “Your , rising sea levels and land degradation.
Climate change is an existential crisis for the entire human family, but SIDS are on the frontlines.” Reliant on imports and complex supply chains, the global shocks of record extreme weather, the tourism destroying COVID pandemic and regional wars, many SIDS have been left reeling in rough waters. “The new Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS ”, said the UN chief.
“The United Nations stands with you” in battling the climate crisis; building resilient economies; safe and healthy societies, biodiversity conservation; “and to protect and sustainably use the ocean and its resources.” He called on SIDS to make bold and sustainable investments thems.
