BAKU - The Curaçao Ministry of Economic Development and the BES (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba) delegation showcased a successful presentation at the United Nations Climate Conference COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Partnering with the international platform Island Innovation, they held a well-attended side event addressing the financial challenges posed by climate change to Sub-National Island Jurisdictions (SNIJs).
This year’s COP29 theme, “In Solidarity for a Green World,” focuses on setting a new climate financing goal and revising five-year national climate plans. The event highlighted the pressing financial needs of small islands, including the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, which contribute minimally to climate change yet are among the first to experience its impacts. They also face limited access to funds necessary to shield themselves from these environmental challenges.
Albert Martis, Chairman of the Curaçao Climate Change Platform, and Edison Rijna, Special Envoy for the BES islands to the EU and UN, introduced the session. “Islands like ours face the same storms, rising sea levels, and economic disruptions, yet we often lack the financial means to adapt,” Rijna stated. He expressed optimism about making headway toward a Memorandum of Understanding on climate financing for small island states during COP29. “We must continue to advocate and push forward as a united front,” he urged.
Martis emphasized that SNIJs, dealing with existential threats to their economies, communities, and ways of life, stand at a critical juncture. “By uniting as a global coalition, we can more effectively advocate for financing mechanisms tailored to SNIJs’ specific needs,” Martis said. “We are not passive victims; we are solution-seekers, innovators, and collaborators. Together, we’ll build a future where SNIJs thrive, demonstrating that resilience and prosperity are within our reach through collective commitment and action.”
The opening remarks were followed by a panel discussion featuring Sai Navoti, Chief of the Small Island Developing States Unit at the United Nations, and Tony Agotha, Climate and Environment Envoy for the European External Action Service. COP29 runs through November 22, with BES Envoy Rijna planning to expand his network and strengthen support for island climate initiatives in the coming days.