BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER Dr. Timothy Harris is calling for an intelligent approach to sustainable development from the United Nations when it comes to dealing with Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
During his presentation at the United Nations General Assembly, Dr. Harris said small nations are committed to meeting the sustainable development goals, stressing that developing countries are often not supported by sufficient resources.
Against that backdrop, Dr. Harris intimated that a more coherent UN system-wide approach to sustainable development, both in terms of policies and through operational practices in UN processes and country programmes, are needed.
“Developing countries often lack the capacity and capability to capitalise on the latest global trends in public sector innovation, government reform and technology in addressing developmental challenges. The UN’s role must be to help and stimulate the developing world and to provide support in critical areas such as education, training and human resource development,” Dr. Harris added.
The prime minister pointed to the danger of climate change to small and developing nations.
“As we all seek to attain the UN sustainable development goals, our government cannot focus on achieving such goals when the very existence of our countries and our peoples is constantly threatened.
“Let us be absolutely clear, climate change is a product of developed nations’ push for economic growth and industrialization. For far too long and with far-reaching consequences, rich countries have been allowed to emit greenhouse gases unimpeded,” Harris lamented.
With those expansions, he noted that it is small island states that feel the brunt of climate change.
“Small states such as St. Kitts and Nevis find themselves on the frontline of a war they did not start and do not want. This is unfair and unjust! People in developing countries will feel the impact first and worst because of vulnerable geography and lesser ability to cope with damage from severe weather and rising sea levels.”
Driving home his point on climate change and its impact on developing states, Dr. Harris pointed to the devastation left by Hurricane Maria on Dominica and Hurricane Dorian on The Bahamas.
“Two years ago, my colleague Prime Minister from Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, was at this podium, dispirited but dignified, straight from the frontline of the devastation that was Hurricane Maria. Yesterday Dominica, today The Bahamas. Every hit is more devastating than that which preceded it! Hurricane Maria passed over Dominica with extreme ferocity, killed 65 persons and wiped out 200 percent of GDP. Hurricane Dorian sat over part of The Bahamas chain and unleashed Armageddon with still unknown dead and incalculable destruction. We extend deepest sympathy to our brothers and sisters in The Bahamas….
“With every disaster comes a crisis of conscience in the international community that results in pledges and promises, but few are fulfilled. Today, I join my voice with that of Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Allen Chastanet to support the effort to establish a SIDS Foundation for climate adaptation and mitigation. We are tired of those who posture as champions of our cause but substantially are promoters of their own conceit. We are tired of the agencies whose brokerage of climate funds is more centered on implementation fees than on adaptation impact.”
He contends that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius for SIDS is not optional, but “a matter of our collective survival”.
