Sea-level rise is threat to survival of Small Island developing states: PM Terrance Drew

Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew threw light on the adverse effects of sea-level rise on the overall development of the small island developing states. The leader raised his concern about the issue at the breakfast meeting, which was conducted during the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4).

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Dennis Francis hosted the meeting and Prime Minister of Tuvalu, H.E. Feleti Teo co-hosted it. PM Drew exchanged several dialogues about the issue of sea-level rise and stated that it is not only disrupting the marine life but affecting the overall lives of the people living on these islands.

PM Drew stated that the issue is of critical importance to SIDS as well as the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. While shedding light on the erosion of beaches, he added that they are the gems of island nation’s natural heritage which are facing negative impacts of the sea level rise.

He also cited an example of the coastlines of Koi Resort in Basseterre and Pump Bay in Sandy Point that have been damaged and forced the people to relocate themselves. Therefore, the leader urged during the SIDS 4th conference that the international communities should take strict measures in order to protect the coastline by facing all the harsh effects of sea-level rise.

Moreover, PM Terrance Drew have been actively engaging in several activities and dialogues with a vision to address all those challenges which have become a cause of concern in the path of leading small island developing states towards growth and development.

He recently attended a high-level side event which was hosted by Caribbean Women in Leadership – CIWiL. The event was organized under a theme “Re-aligning Climate Finance: Accelerating Equal Access and Inclusion” which focuses on providing financial resources and instruments which can be utilized to tackle the adverse effects of climate change.

PM Drew stated that it is the duty of all small island developing states to enhance the educational facilities and increase awareness about the huge negative impact that climate change is causing to lives, livelihoods, and the environment. Therefore, he shared his vision of transforming St. Kitts and Nevis into a model sustainable island state by protecting all the citizens from the adverse effects of climate change.

“We have to make sure at every stage there is a connection from the grassroots level upwards. Otherwise, we are not going anywhere,” noted PM Terrance Drew.