Director of the Social and Sustainable Development Unit of the OECS Dr. James Fletcher made the remarks at the recently concluded 14th Meeting of the Organisation’s Environment Policy Committee, in Nevis.
According to Fletcher, this will be top on the agenda of the organisation’s Social and Sustainable Development Unit in the coming year.
Dr. Fletcher noted that the Unit was in advanced stages of discussion with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Caribbean Development Bank, on a comprehensive regional programme for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
However, he urged for greater international support for the region for climate change mitigation and adaptive activities.
“We are the victims of climate change and we are paying a high price for the actions of the wealthier, developed world. It is only fair, therefore, that we make strong representation to the development partner community to help us mitigate the many, wide ranging impacts of climate change and with the support of our member states, we will be doing just that,” he said.
According to Dr. Fletcher, the climate change programme would be far reaching and would address issues related to capacity building, policy development and infrastructure improvement.
That programme, he noted, would require close inter-agency collaboration, particularly among Fisheries, External Affairs and Trade and Environment Departments.