President Sylvanie Burton addresses UN General Assembly 2024, expresses concern regarding SIDS

The first ever female President of Commonwealth of Dominica, Sylvanie Burton addressed UN General Assembly 2024 and shed light on the various concerns being faced by the Small Island Developing States and expressed a hope that this forum will turn out to play a significant role for the development of the Caribbean nations.

President Burton started her address by greeting the attendees in the language of her Kalinago people stating “Mabrika Mabrika.” She also extended the warmest greetings by addressing Dominica, the “nature Island of the Caribbean” and the “homeland of Olympian gold medallist, Thea Lafond Gadsdon.”

She started her address while saying that in many spheres human endeavour is not equitable, and deliberate actions are required to ensure that the most vulnerable section of people, namely women, children, the physically challenged, and the senior citizens are brought out from the shadows of negligence into the light of opportunity.

While connecting those vulnerability with the small nations, she noted that they are subject to many challenges of growth and development. Therefore, she urged developing nations to continue to be their brother’s keeper and join their voice with those who believe that no one, regardless of location, race, ethnicity, gender, or religion, is left behind in the relentless pursuit of advancement.

She expressed a hope and stated that “This assembly will be known as the forum at which the United Nations family rededicated itself to ensuring that the SDGs remain central to our claim, that our civilizations are caring and progressive, and that our collective management, scientific, and diplomatic capabilities will be assigned to ensuring that the well-being of the present and future generations is guaranteed.”

While expressing her concerns, President Burton noted that despite the resources and publicity given to UN Agenda 30, its output so far does not inspire confidence that they are on track to realize the much-heralded goals.

President Sylvanie Burton also mentioned about the 2024 sustainable development goals report which indicates that far from building on the progress achieved during the first five years, fully half of the 17 targets are depicting minimal or moderate progress while over 1 third appear stalled or going in reverse.

Following that, President Burton highlighted the increasing cases of noncommunicable diseases and called it a crisis that requires unified and aggressive approach by all global leaders. She asserted that their fight against such diseases which accounts for 75% of all deaths worldwide requires strong leadership, innovative strategies, and collaboration at every level.

She cited an example of Dominica and stated that they are making several measures and have made significant progress in enhancing the health care system to better meet the needs of those at risk or living with NCDs.

The President noted that Dominica is proud to play its part in this global effort, and reiterated their commitment to working with international partners to share knowledge, resources, and best practices in the fight against NCDs.

Moreover, President Burton also emphasised her concern over Climate Change and stated that it is continuing to become the biggest threat for the small island developing states. She asserted that it is not a distant or abstract issue but a daily reality that they are suffering by standing on the front lines.

She stated that they are standing at a critical juncture in human history where they have been facing intensify hurricanes, devastating floods, and prolonged droughts. The President also recalled the devastation caused in 2015 due to Tropical Storm Erica and then again in 2017 against the deadly hurricane Maria which wiped out around 96% and 224% of the island nation’s GDP respectively.

“That is why this year, we watched in agony as hurricane burial swept through the island states of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados, and Jamaica,” noted President Sylvanie Burton.

Therefore, she highlighted the high emitting countries to recognize and accept responsibility for their destructive practices and do the noble thing. She stated that Dominica along with the other Caribbean states, have already prioritized the development of national climate adaptation strategies, invested in resilient infrastructure and agriculture, invested in community education and in renewable energy.

And, now they need support from the developing nations to help them in their commitments to reduce global warming and provide the funding that is required to enable the law emitting states to become resilient.

The President Sylvanie Burton also expressed concern about the ongoing conflict and the continuing loss of innocent lives. Therefore, she asked everyone to stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti and urged for the support for bringing peace and development to the nation.