COP29 Daily Bulletin: A powerful statement from Saint Kitts and Nevis at COP29

A powerful statement from Saint Kitts and Nevis at COP29
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"There is hope here in Baku. This cannot be the future to which we resign island nations", says Saint Kitts and Nevis

On Tuesday, Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, took the stage to address a powerful message during the Leader statements at COP29. She highlighted the severe impacts of climate change on SIDS and called out the inequities in climate finance, noting that SIDS received just 0.2% of global climate adaptation finance last year.

Hon. Dr. Clarke outlined Saint Kitts and Nevis’ unwavering commitment to sustainability, emphasising the imperative of decarbonising energy infrastructure, climate-proofing their utilities infrastructure and forging strategic partnerships.

She invited all island nations to convene in Saint Kitts and Nevis next year for the Global Sustainable Island Summit, co-hosted with the Island Innovation team while underscored the urgent need for concerted global action.

Exclusive Offer for COP29

In-person event: The Global Sustainable Islands Summit has been officially announced! Island Innovation and the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis will be co-hosting the 2nd edition of the in-person event in May 2025 in Saint Kitts and Nevis (Caribbean).

We will be gathering renowned professionals, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to address pressing challenges confronting island communities, focusing on Water Sustainability & Energy Nexus, Agricultural Resilience & Climate Adaptation and Climate-Health Interactions & Geothermal Energy.

Use the exclusive code “COP29” to get a discount (-$75) on your extra-early bird ticket, valid until the end of COP29 (November 30th)!

Day 11: What we are looking forward to today

In Baku? Today’s not-to-be missed side events are:
Advancing Blue Economy through Marine Spatial Planning: Case study of Malake and Ovalau Islands in Fiji
This session will explore the synergy between Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and the Blue Economy by showcasing innovative pathways, methods, and technologies for integrating MSP. The event will highlight a pilot project on Malake and Ovalau islands, offering insights into sustainable development and climate adaptation in marine environments.…
Organiser(s): Pacific Islands Development Forum, National Ocean Technology Center (NOTC), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of the People's Republic of China, China Oceanic Development Foundation (CODF), Blue Praxis (Australia), First Institute of Oceanography, and UNESCO/IOC Sub Commission for the Western Pacific.
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Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders: Building Resilience Across Borders
This side event will highlight the Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders Academy (CCJLA) and its work on the interconnected impacts of climate change, conflict, and resilience in the Caribbean. It will showcase youth-led solutions for building resilience in fragile contexts and their adaptability to regions facing similar climate risks. CCJLA youth delegates will present innovative projects that emphasise local understanding and the need for cross-border collaboration. The event will explore how Car…
Organiser(s): Island Innovation
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Climate Justice & Global Leadership – Fireside Chat with SIDS Climate Leaders
This session will bring together influential leaders in climate justice and global leadership for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion. It will examine the intersection of climate action, justice, and leadership, with a particular focus on how these elements drive meaningful change in vulnerable regions. The session will highlight the importance of global cooperation in fostering a just and equitable future for all. Key challenges will be addressed, and perspectives on effective leadersh…
Organiser(s): Island Innovation
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Collaborative Efforts Power Climate Action at COP29

We started Day 10 with an insightful virtual event during which speakers discussed how Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and Subnational Island Jurisdictions (SNIJs) are currently stuck in a grey area in the legislative climate finance process when it comes to funding adaptation programmes, and the solutions to this status. Many thanks to:

  • Hon. Josephine Connolly (Minister for Tourism, Environment, Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Government of Turks and Caicos Islands)
  • Vanessa Toré (Director of Foreign Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Economic Development, Government of Curaçao)
  • Mario Borg (CEO of Gozo Regional Development Authority)
  • Angela Burnett Penn (Environmental Officer, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Government of British Virgin Islands)
  • Zahor El Kharousy (Deputy Principal Secretary at Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Government of Zanzibar)

James Ellsmoor, CEO of Island Innovation, moderated 2 panels yesterday.

 

In the first one, Siosinamele Lui (Traditional Knowledge Adviser, SPREP), Joshua Pangelinan (Energy and Climate Specialist, FSM), Dr. Aitazaz Farooque (Professor & Associate Dean at the School of Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)) and Fred Patison (Climate Change Finance Readiness Adviser, Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC)) shared insights on leveraging traditional knowledge and climate science to drive ambitious climate action on order to build resilience in Pacific SIDS.

 

The second panel Response to Climate Change: The Special Case of Small Island UK Overseas Territories – Finance for Innovation and Research was organised by the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) in the UK Pavilion. Speakers included Minister Mary Creagh (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Minister for Nature), Hon. Dr John Cortes MP (Minister for the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change, Heritage and Culture, HM Government of Gibraltar), Professor Dr. Matt Frost (Head of International Office of the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Chair of the UK’s Marine Climate Change Impact Partnership) and CCJLA’s Noelle Young.

The Island Innovation team also organised a side event in the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion on Empowering SIDS Youth: Driving Climate Justice Through Interregional Collaboration. We were pleased to present a diverse lineup of young experts from various Small Island Developing States (SIDS), showcasing their leadership role in climate justice. Many thanks to:

  • Honourable Kerryne James (Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, Government of Grenada)
  • CCJLA delegates: Genesis Whitlock, Jeshua Bardoo, Whitney Mélinard
  • Lindy Quek (Singaporean delegate)
  • Joape Negra (CMP Youth Delegate, Fiji)
  • Maximilian Teea (CMP Youth Delegate, Kiribati)
  • Fathimaa Muhammad Ahmed (Student, Maldives)
    In a session moderated by Vincent Diringer, PR & Editorial Lead at Island Innovation.

Adaptation, Resilience and Biodiversity

The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund organised an impactful COP29 session on the linkages between climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation and food security. Panelists explored innovative practices to support climate vulnerable communities to build resilience against climate change.

News And Key Insights

Today's island events at COP29

The Island Voices @ COP29 is also a platform to share information about island-related events during COP29. Here are some of today’s island related events:

Supporting a Climate Adaptation Strategy for Atoll Nations: Insights, Reflections and Way Forward

21 November, 9:30-11:00 AM (Baku)
Location: Joint MDB Pavilion
Org: Asian Development Bank, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Government of Kiribati, Government of the Maldives, and more.

Climate Adaptation and Resilience in the Caribbean: Challenges and Opportunities

21 November, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM (Baku)
Location: CARICOM Pavilion
Org: Caribbean Development Bank, OECS

If you have relevant COP29 updates or announcements, please contact us via [email protected], and we’ll be happy to share them (keeping in mind we have to limit promotional content).

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