Caricom 48th Heads of Government Meeting: Leaders urge global partnerships to combat climate change

The need for global collaboration and unity to address the devastating impacts of climate change was underscored during the opening remarks of several officials, at the opening ceremony of the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, in Barbados.

The leaders called for a shared commitment to tackling climate change, and building a future where small island states are empowered to play a central role in the global value chain.
The meeting, held under the theme “Strength in Unity: Forging Caribbean Resilience, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development”, underscored the need for urgent action and collaboration to tackle the climate crisis.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised the time-sensitive nature of global climate action.

“Challenges that all countries face, whether large or small, developed or developing, we all need to protect nature. We all need to stop and reverse global warming. Our livelihood is this one planet with its phenomenal nature, and we all need to face rising threats to human health,” she warned in her address.
Von der Leyen made a strong case for collective action in the face of a rapidly-changing world, stating, “On challenges like these, we are not in a race against each other; we are in a race against time. Even in moments of harsh competition, we need to join forces.”
She also highlighted the Region’s vulnerabilities, pointing out that small island states, such as those in the Caribbean, must have a strong voice in the global conversation on climate change.
Von der Leyen expressed Europe’s commitment to supporting the Caribbean in its transition to clean energy, and advancing the global fight against climate change.
She announced the launch of a new transition partnership aimed at producing clean energy in the Caribbean, emphasising that the Region has the potential to play a major role in the decarbonised global economy.

Meanwhile, incoming Chair of Caricom and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, echoed von der Leyen’s sentiments, stressing that business as usual was no longer viable in the face of global crises.
“What is clear is that it cannot be business as usual,” Mottley said. “The world is reeling from all kinds of problems… We know what it is like when each summer we [small island developing states] have to hold our breath and wait, hoping that this is not going to be our turn [to face destruction from natural disaster].”
Mottley emphasised the need for the Caribbean to tackle challenges with unity and bold action.

She also underscored the importance of regional self-sufficiency in food production as a crucial step toward climate resilience, noting, “The climate crisis and the effects it is having on food security must be addressed immediately. We can no longer just talk about solutions; we must act now.”
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres spoke forcefully about the injustice faced by small island nations in the context of climate change.
“You face a deplorable injustice – a crisis that you have done next to nothing to create is wrecking economies, draining lives, and threatening your very existence,” Guterres said.
“Together, you have fought tooth and nail for the global commitment to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. Now, countries must deliver new climate action plans at COP 30.”
Guterres also urged wealthy nations to meet their commitments to climate finance.
He called for the fulfilment of pledges made at COP 29, particularly the $1.3 trillion agreed upon for climate action, and emphasised the need for meaningful contributions to the newly-established Loss and Damage Fund.
“The fund must be a serious thing,” he said, “and we need new and innovative sources of financing to finally put a price on carbon.”
Outgoing Chairman of Caricom and Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, also focused on the Region’s collective response to climate change. He reiterated that Caricom countries were seeking partnerships to address the climate crisis, stating, “We are resilient. We will rise. We will continue to fight.”
Mitchell called on the international community to support the Caribbean nations most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, emphasising that the Region’s fight against climate change is not just an environmental issue but a human rights issue.

Caricom Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett underscored the importance of regional unity in facing global challenges.

“The current global challenges cannot be effectively addressed in splendid isolation. In our Region, which accounts for less than one per cent of the global population, we know that if we are to decisively counter and surmount the adverse effects of climate change, we must redouble collective efforts,” she stated.

Barnett further emphasised that Caricom’s response to climate change must be grounded in cooperation, with regional integration playing a key role in building sustainable solutions for the future.

“Regional commitment, strength, and resilience were clearly visible in Grenada last year,” she said, reflecting on Caricom’s response to Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
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