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VI urges UN climate chief on support as active hurricane season gets underway

- @ 4th Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua & Barbuda
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), 3rd from left, has urged the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Mr Simon E.K. Stiell, centre, on support to the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) to help in the response to the negative impacts of climate change as the islands face stronger and more frequent storms, heavier rains, flash flooding and sea level rise. Photo: VI Gov't
The Virgin Islands was hit by two monster hurricanes, Irma and Maria, in September 2017. Photo: VINO
The Virgin Islands was hit by two monster hurricanes, Irma and Maria, in September 2017. Photo: VINO
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon E.K. Stiell acknowledged the situation of the VI and other UN Associate Members and encouraged continued advocacy. Photo: caribank.org
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon E.K. Stiell acknowledged the situation of the VI and other UN Associate Members and encouraged continued advocacy. Photo: caribank.org
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) also supported the CARICOM position presented by Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Hon Philip E. Davis (in photo) who made the case for the need to make the processes of accessing climate finance by SIDS more streamlined. Photo: autoreportafrica.com
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) also supported the CARICOM position presented by Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Hon Philip E. Davis (in photo) who made the case for the need to make the processes of accessing climate finance by SIDS more streamlined. Photo: autoreportafrica.com
ST JOHN’S Antigua- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has urged the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Mr Simon E.K. Stiell on support to the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) to help in the response to the negative impacts of climate change as the islands face stronger and more frequent storms, heavier rains, flash flooding and sea level rise.

Premier Wheatley highlighted that the VI and other Associate Members of the UN regional commissions are locked out of climate finance, despite their vulnerabilities as Small Island Developing States. He argued that high climate vulnerability should allow the VI to access concessional financing and receive grants to help the islands adapt to climate change.

According to a government press release today, June 6, 2024, Premier Wheatley also reminded the gathering that the VI was hit by two category five hurricanes in 2017 from which it is still recovering.

VI situation acknowledged by UN chief

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Stiell acknowledged the situation of the VI and other UN Associate Members and encouraged continued advocacy.

Premier Wheatley also supported the CARICOM position presented by Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Hon Philip E. Davis who made the case for the need to make the processes of accessing climate finance by SIDS more streamlined. The Premier also backed the advocacy of CARICOM Secretary General H.E. Dr Carla N. Barnett and Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC) Dr. Colin Young.

Also present at the meeting was St Vincent and the Grenadines Minister for Sustainable Development Hon Carlos James, Saint Lucia Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training Hon Shawn Edward, VI Special Envoy Mr E. Benito Wheatley, and representatives from Barbados, Bahamas and the CARICOM Secretariat.

Premier Wheatley 'grateful'

Speaking on the importance of the meeting Premier Wheatley said,

“I am grateful to UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell for taking the time to listen to the challenges of the BVI and other UN Associate Members in responding to the negative impacts of climate change, as well as other Caribbean SIDS within CARICOM. This is an existential issue for us and we need access to climate finance to adapt to the changing weather patterns that are putting our societies at risk. CARICOM has been a strong partner and the BVI will continue to participate in the collective advocacy efforts to get access to climate finance, especially since SIDS are not the cause of the global warming taking place.”

The meeting took place last week at the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda.

11 Responses to “VI urges UN climate chief on support as active hurricane season gets underway”

  • 100% vip (06/06/2024, 16:38) Like (7) Dislike (11) Reply
    premier there no so such thing as climate change read your bible not man say
  • Get Real (06/06/2024, 17:44) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    "SIDS are not the cause of the global warming taking place." Stop blaming others, per capita the BVI is a bigger polluter than India, Nigeria, Columbia, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia (Climate Watch Data) to name just a few.
    • @ Get Real (06/06/2024, 21:03) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      This crazy Cindy needs to keep off vino
      • @@ Get Real (07/06/2024, 06:26) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        Not Cindy, just someone who knows the facts and understands what 'per capita' means
  • Hum (06/06/2024, 18:41) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    do your part 1st
  • money (06/06/2024, 20:38) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    What would be your first project if you’re giving access to climate change money?
  • ................................. (06/06/2024, 22:53) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    Many of you keep underestimating the premier but his government will win again
  • 2024 (07/06/2024, 04:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Climate Change
    the cruise ships still coming here polluting our territory: Once it is money our leaders bend the rules
  • Really (07/06/2024, 08:08) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wake up people they are only having meetings about their technology. Get ready for the haarp because they warm you that this season is going to be bad. Think for a split second how can satellite in the sky stay firm for hurricane season while your house mash Up. ask yourself why are you not allowed to see satellites and planets in the day but you can at night. Let me school ya you can't prove what's in the sky at night because it's dark. If it has a space through the domn how come the birds don't buss threw it and go to space they don't have to live here they can move to space since they have access. We can't go period no one can go to space because you can't busy through that cover. Trust no government. Do you see all the Freemason lodge all over the world. They are recruiting kids. wake up people something ain't right . Look how tv are photographers are dressing the toddlers like hoes. Do let you kids dress half naked. Bathing suit is the same as a bra and panty and everyone can see them like that it's is what it is. Reality is the kids are getting sold for material things now. They only want cars, jewelry girls,boys, food. They don't want to work. This generation is very lazy. In my Times you had to work to eat
  • bvi (07/06/2024, 09:00) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    BVI people never happy with nothing


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