October 5, 2022
(CCCCC Press Release 2022/012)
(City of Belmopan, Belize) The CCCCC together with the National Designated Authority (NDA) of Saint Kitts hosted a 2-day workshop at Saint Kitt’s Marriott Hotel from October 3-4, 2022. The South-South Structured Dialogue involved 7 Caribbean countries that already serve as national nominated accredited entities to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and those going through the accreditation process to share lessons.
Speaking at the brief opening session, Senator Dr the Honorable Joyelle Clarke, St Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Development mentioned how proud she was of the ‘prominence’ that climate action was being given by the government of St Kitts and Nevis. She noted that this showed the urgency with which the country treats climate change and the inherent call to action that the government has declared that everyone at all levels of society should take.
Referencing the national climate policies, strategies and programmes already in place in St Kitts and Nevis, the Minister said “St Kitts and Nevis’ National Determined Contribution (NDC) has set an ambitious target of reducing economy-wide CO2 emissions by 61% by 2030, when compared to base-year 2010. The vision of our Climate Change Policy (2017) is for St Kitts and Nevis to be at the forefront with respect to climate-resilient development in the Caribbean region.” “It is now time for action”, she added.
Meanwhile, Head of Projects at the CCCCC, Mr Ansel Dubon in his welcome remarks reminded participants of the similarities all Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face with climate change, “We are at the forefront of the fight against climate change” he said, and at the same time, “challenged by the ever-reducing fiscal space and limited institutional capacities”. This South to South exchange he observed, will build on “horizontal partnerships based on trust and mutual learning, wide opportunities to share good practices and development solutions that are highly adaptable to local economic and social conditions”.
The workshop brought together approximately fifty participants from Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, The Bahamas, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago representing established and aspiring GCF Accredited Entities from the Caribbean. Part of the 2-day programme included a panel discussion where panelists zeroed in on key topics related to GCF accreditation, project development, and implementation and monitoring, evaluating, and reporting to the GCF. The workshop resulted in the formation of an Alliance of Direct Access Entities (DAEs) from around the region that will provide technical support, guidance and share lessons learned. This network will also foster peer-to-peer learning between and among like institutions such as development banks, environmental institutes, and government ministries.
