Dominica calls on USA to reconsider Paris Agreement withdrawal

Dominica Senator Francine Baron has urged the United States to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord.

She cited the fact that small island developing states (SIDS), particularly Caribbean islands, are significantly affected by drastic changes in weather conditions.

“The withdrawal of the second largest emitter of the greenhouse gases from the Paris climate accord is a major concern to small states,” she said.

“Climate change in fact poses an existential threat to at least 13 of the 34 member states of this organisation and many others.

“We therefore use this forum to urge the United States of America to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate accord.”

Representing Dominica at the general assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) last week in Mexico, Baron – who serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs - addressed the forum on the issue of climate change as it relates to Dominica and other small island developing states.

Address causes

“The impact of more severe hurricanes and the destruction of our most valued tourism assets, our beaches and coral reefs, and the damage to our infrastructure threaten to reverse the developmental gains that we have made,” she said at the plenary session.

“Our efforts to attain the 2030 sustainable development goals of the united nations cannot be achieved without dealing with the causes of climate change.”

Baron outlined that the effects of climate change on SIDS cannot be dealt with without the OAS first addressing the cause.

She also used to forum to reconfirm Dominica’s commitment to realising the 2030 sustainable development goals of the OAS and upholding the established laws.

She pledged that the island is committed to holding true to the values of the charter and the instruments that emanate from the competent authorities of the OAS, as well as upholding the rule of law and strengthening of the country’s democratic institutions as outlined in the Inter-American democratic charter.