Dominica: President Charles Savarin addresses the 77th Session of UNGA

Dominica: President of the Commonwealth of Dominica – Charles Savarin, addressed the 77th United Nations, General Assembly. This year, the Assembly has been organised in New York City, United States of America, from September 20 to 26, 2022.

The significant issues such as climate change, poverty, inequality, growing challenges of chronic non-communicable diseases and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine were discussed by the President.

Furthermore, he outlined that the country reiterates its call to the global community to prioritise the disbursement of climate financing at COP27 to support adaptation and resiliency efforts as Small Island Developing States (SIDS) seek to minimise loss and damage from extreme climate events.

“Today, planet earth is under severe threat and stress and may become uninhabitable if we further delay decisive corrective action. We need to talk less and start taking those concrete and unsustainable actions required to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.”

“In addition to natural disasters like tropical storms and hurricanes, we are facing the prospect of drought, warming seas, and rising sea levels, all of which will affect lives and livelihoods,” said President Charles Savarin of Dominica at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, September 21 2022. ”

The Dominican President also highlighted the impact of climate change on the Small Island Developing States. He stated that the effect of climate-related is well-known across the globe. Furthermore, he recalled the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017 in Dominica. This devastation resulted in a 220 percent loss of Gross Domestic Product.

He stated that countless people lost their lives, broken homes, and infrastructure destroyed. “These experiences triggered our goal of becoming the first climate-resilient nation in the world, and we have realigned our focus to concentrate on adaptation efforts and build back better in every sector of the economy,” he said while mentioned, adding, “SIDS are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, a phenomenon which will continue to escalate with every increment of global warming, I see levels rise some small island States will eventually disappear, while others will experience Coastal erosion and ultimately destroy infrastructure, Villages, towns and cities.”

President Savarin concluded the address and expressed gratitude to all the world leaders who have stood with the country during the darkest days.