Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Terrence Drew, and Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, kicked off the 2025 Green Climate Fund (GCF) Regional Dialogue with the Caribbean.
Hosted by Saint Kitts and Nevis, the four-day dialogue brought together over 200 stakeholders, comprising governments, National Designated Authorities, Accredited Entities, and other partners from the Caribbean region to discuss climate plans and how to access GCF financing.
“Our islands face escalating challenges from climate change, including rising sea levels, more intense hurricanes, and increased drought. The theme of this gathering is timely, which is ‘Towards a resilient Caribbean: Advancing regional solutions for climate action, sustainable growth and inclusive development’,” said Terrence Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
“The Caribbean region has always set its sights higher than its geographical limitations. We are small enough to be the best model of sustainability that the world has to offer,” Drew added.
Prime Minister Drew highlighted the vast potential of renewable energy generation in the region for domestic use as well as for export. He underscored the importance of using the dialogue to resolve the barriers that are preventing the region from matching its ambition for urgent action needed on the ground.
“We have the capacity to move much more quickly, but we need to move together as a region,” said Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. “You cannot separate people and planet. I believe we can sustain the stability and build a movement for prosperity for Caribbean people while being good to the planet.”
“GCF has been one of your strongest supporters. We are a partner that has one of the greatest potentials to work together with you and public and private sector entities to achieve the greatest impact,” said Mafalda Duarte, GCF Executive Director.
Imploring the attendees of the dialogue to “use GCF to achieve the greatest potential”, Duarte talked about GCF having the largest envelope of grant resources – under its Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme – to support technical assistance and institutional capacity building.
“GCF is more than just a financing partner. They are committed to ensuring that we address our climate-related challenges in a sustainable, inclusive, and gender-responsive manner,” said Drew. “Dealing with climate change is not opposed to economic growth,” he underscored.