BASSETERRE, St. kitts. Mar 18, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has underscored the need for increased support to bolster the climate resilience and sustainable development efforts of St. Kitts-Nevis, as the twin island Federation hosts the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Regional Dialogue with the Caribbean.
“I want to thank you for choosing St. Kitts and Nevis. And it shows that St. Kitts and Nevis is making its representation as a country within the Caribbean; as SIDS, that we are determined to be at the table. Because I was told once that if you are not at the table, you’re on the menu, and we don’t intend to be eaten,” he told the opening ceremony that was attended by the Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, Mafalda Duarte, the President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Daniel Best, and other dignitaries.
“The simple truth is that the GCF has been a ready, willing, and indispensable partner in helping our Caribbean countries to progress toward their climate mitigation and adaptation goals,” Prime Minister Drew said, noting that however, that among Caribbean countries “St. Kitts, of all the countries in the region, has had the least support thus far”.
Drew said he remains optimistic that by hosting the GCF Regional Dialogue it would be pivotal in ensuring that the twin island Federation secures the necessary assistance to enhance its climate resilience and achieve its sustainable development objectives.
He said his government has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to strengthening partnerships and advocating for equitable support to effectively address the challenges posed by climate change.
“Our commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency offers us a pathway to not only mitigate the threats caused by climate change but also to stimulate economic growth and enhance our resilience. In other words, dealing with the scourge of climate change is not opposed to economic growth. For us, they are one and the same.”
Prime Minister Drew said that climate action and economic growth are interconnected and lauded upcoming discussions on the Nevis geothermal project. Despite political differences, he acknowledged the federal government’s and the Nevis Island Administration’s unified approach to geothermal development.
“So he and I, we have sat, and with all of the other differences, there’s one difference that we would not have, and that is a difference on whether we should develop geothermal here in the Federation or not.”
Prime Minister Drew commended the GCF for its role as a “ready, willing, and indispensable partner” in assisting Caribbean nations in achieving their climate goals, while detailing the US $8.3 million in readiness financing accessed by St. Kitts-Nevis to enhance the capacity of national institutions.
He cited the potential of GCF support for geothermal development, referencing the US$80 million package implemented through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Prime Minister Drew said that while St. Kitts-Nevis has received the least support from the GCF compared to other countries in the region, efforts are being made to accelerate progress, and this meeting will be pivotal in ensuring their active participation.
“It is important, therefore, that we as a region always promote the interconnectedness of our sustainable development priorities. In St. Kitts and Nevis, our sustainable island state agenda is holistic, focussing also on a reliable and s
“I am aware that St. Kitts and Nevis has in GCF’s pipeline over US $60 million in potential projects, focussing on our water and agriculture sectors, and these are working their way through the feasibility stage.
“In Barbados and Grenada, we have seen the GCF approve over US $200 million in project financing, including over $140 million in grants to advance climate adaptation in the water and wastewater sectors.”
Dre said that ‘all of this to say that GCF understands and continues to understand even more. “But just a fact of life is that St. Kitts, of all the countries in the region, has had the least support thus far. However, it is being accelerated, and I’m sure this meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis at this time will be pivotal in making sure that we are at the table and not on the menu.
“I want to say that the 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 m