PM Drew vows to transform St. Kitts and Nevis into Sustainable Island State by 2040

St. Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew delivered the keynote address during the Global Sustainable Islands Summit held in Prince Edward Island, Canada. He was joined by Minister of Sustainable Development, Dr Joyelle Clarke.

The Summit in Canada was dedicated to advancing sustainable development on islands across the globe, and during the address, PM Drew shared his bold vision to transform St. Kitts and Nevis into a Sustainable Island State by the year 2040. 

The Prime Minister noted that there is no island that on its own can insulate itself from the burning heat, the disappearance of the cultural heritage, the economic and non-economic loss, the deterioration of the beaches as well as the growing mounds of sargassum seaweed swarming the shores. He highlighted these points while underscoring his government’s commitment to partner in the global fight against the climate crisis on the small islands.

The leader of St. Kitts and Nevis also talked about the need for greater access to financing for small island nations whose contributions to climate change are being neglected. 

He noted that the islands are not rich enough, nor poor enough to fund the green transition and this is the reason why they as an island community have been active at the UN in seeking an advise on the climate crisis. 

According to Dr Drew, the international financial architecture is neocolonial and in dire need of reforming and restructuring. He added that the survival of the small islands is directly connected to an international financial system, which enables fair, just, and more reliable access to urgent climate finance as well as climate crisis response grant funding. 

While asking the world leaders to work together, he said that that this is why he is reiterating here among the partners to work collaboratively to demand and drive change in global finance. 

Meanwhile, during its visit to Canada, PM Drew held preliminary discussions with the Premier of Prince Edward Island, Dennis King, ahead of the summit. He also engaged in a bilateral meeting with the CEO of Island Innovation, James Ellsmoor, who hosted the summit. 

PM Drew noted that he discussed the potential of synergies with private and public partnerships, along with building capacity through education and policy, with CEO Ellsmoor.