In his address to the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Honourable Allen M. Chastanet continued to show leadership on the issues of climate change but also highlighted the achievements and aspirations of Saint Lucia.
A highlight of the Prime Minister’s statement was the announcement that Saint Lucia was chosen as the first country to implement the Country Financing Roadmap of the World Economic Forum.
“The CFR is a platform to support countries in making a transformative shift from funding to financing. It will harness the collective intelligence from the WEF’s expansive networks and promote consensus on the main challenges that limit capital flows to Saint Lucia. It will also leverage co-ordinated action to move from a holistic diagnostic to a country-specific, tangible action plan. We are grateful for this opportunity to be the test case for this initiative and look forward to its success being replicated across those states in need,” explained Prime Minister Chastanet.
The Prime Minister, who is wearing two hats at this year’s UNGA as he is also CARICOM Chairman, began his address by making an impassioned plea for small island developing states (SIDS).
“We opened this high-level week with a focus on climate change and climate action. Saint Lucia, along with our fellow small island developing states, continue to make a strong case for urgent action. The disturbing fact is that every September when we gather here, it is against the backdrop of yet another devastating extreme weather event,” he noted.
“I saw the devastation in the Bahamas first-hand, when I visited in my capacity as Chairman of the Caribbean Community. I saw the faces of people, absolutely lost and desperate, as they attempted to rationalize what had happened and what will happen next. They cried, they yelled, but ultimately, after the initial reflex empathy and emergency aid, they remain voiceless. We need to let them know by our actions that we hear them, we see them and we will not forget them.”
The Prime Minister demanded that the UN move with some sense of urgency:
“To date, despite the overwhelming evidence, the tragic loss of lives and the destruction of people’s dignity, we have failed. We are failing as world leaders to act with urgency, instead allowing too often the denials of a few to paper over the real and existential threat to the lives and livelihoods of so many.”
He went on: “For the few who stand with us and have provided tangible assistance as we fight for our survival, we are grateful for the support thus far. But I daresay that, given the magnitude of the problem, we have only begun to scratch the surface.”
Prime Minister Chastanet in his speech also expressed Saint Lucia’s support to the substantive participation of Taiwan as an active member of the international aviation community in ICAO forums.
“The G7 has now added its voice to those who have long advocated for the inclusion of Taiwan in the work of the global community. As we continue our strides to implement the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, the participation of small states and all states in the various UN agencies and processes is critical to achieving our collective goals. We have to remain true to the agenda’s clarion call to leave no one behind,” Chastanet said.
On the issue of Venezuela, the Prime Minister stated that Saint Lucia continues to believe this crisis should be resolved peacefully and through dialogue: “Military action is not the answer. But let me be clear; the continued instability in that country is a threat to us all in the hemisphere. This cannot be overlooked or swept under the table.”
As he ended his speech, the Prime Minister challenged the UN to be more proactive:
“I would like to be able to boast of a United Nations where small nations like mine receive a fair hearing and genuine empathy, when appropriate; a United Nations where once the case is made, there is an examination of conscience followed by a commitment towards change.”
He added: “To some this may seem like a high ideal but I submit that it is the minimum owed to states like Saint Lucia’ it is indeed the object and purpose of the United Nations.”
The Saint Lucia UNGA delegation includes Minister responsible for External Affairs Honourable Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, Washington and OAS Ambassador Anton Edmunds, Ambassador to the UN Cosmos Richardson and CARICOM Ambassador Elma Gene Isaac.
During the week a major event on the sidelines was the India-CARICOM Leaders’ Meeting where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a US$14 million grant for community development projects in the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) and another US$150 million line of credit for solar, renewable energy and climate change related projects.
The Prime Minister also spoke at the Climate Action Summit, held meetings with the UN Secretary General and was a panelist at the World Economic Forum Impact Summit and several high-level meetings on development financing.
