Bahamas hosts Pre-COP 16 conference, demands strategic climate action

Nassau, Bahamas: The Prime Minister of Bahamas, Philip E. Davis shed light on the “triple planetary crisis” and the role it is playing to threaten world security. He urged all Caribbean nations to unite together as brother and sister in order to ramp up efforts, ensuring sustainable land management at home and abroad.

Recently, the Prime Minister attended a Pre-COP 16 Conference at the SLS Bahamas Conference Centre on August 8, 2024. During the conference, the Prime Minister shed light on the necessity of addressing climate change; protecting biodiversity; and nurturing ecological restoration of the land. He called it an urgent priority for all over the world in order to enhance the sustainability of the countries.

The Prime Minister stated that 30% of degraded land in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) worldwide can be found in the Caribbean region. “Caribbean countries cannot recklessly clear land or extract resources, turn a blind eye to unplanned urbanization, or promote harmful farming practices that undermine, rather than improve, our food security,” noted PM Davis.

Therefore, he asked all the Caribbean leaders to come and speak their hearts and minds in harmony on the international platform to share their views on the matters of climate change and desertification which is the main topic for the Pre-Cop 16.

Notably, the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification will take place in December 2024. The UNCCD and the Government of Saudi Arabia will co-organize the conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2nd to 13th December 2024.

The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the world’s foremost platform for governments, businesses, and civil society to come together with a vision to discuss present-day challenges and chart a sustainable future for land. It is one of the three major treaties known as the Rio Conventions— alongside climate change and biodiversity.

Desertification is the process by which human or natural causes can reduce the biological productivity of drylands. It greatly affects biodiversity and food security and is exacerbated by natural disasters such as hurricanes and tropical storms, which poorly affect the Caribbean region.

Moreover, Vaughn P. Miller, the Minister of Environment of Bahamas also asked all the Caribbean leaders to participate in it and stated that it is very important for the nations to harmonize their policies and unify their voices on the international platform.

He emphasized that mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the environment are necessary for all the Caribbean nations. “We must be keepers of our brothers’ and sisters. It is our duty to look out for each other, share resources and insights, and create a more sustainable future for us all,” noted Minister Miller.