Virgin Islands Special Envoy Mr E. Benito Wheatley and COP30 President Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

COP30 is scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil. Photo: Internet Source

The Caribbean and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are committed to fighting for climate justice, especially as global focus has shifted away from the climate crisis to issues such as tariffs and conflicts in recent months.

During a special two-day meeting in Brazil, representatives and Parliamentarians from across Latin America and the Caribbean presented an official letter of support to His Excellency Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, the President of COP30, who outlined the Brazilian Government's climate priorities.

In his remarks, Mr. Wheatley stated, “The Caribbean is among the smallest CO2 emitters in the world, yet it is at the greatest risk from the negative impacts of climate change caused by global warming. We did not create this problem, and we should not have to bear the cost of rebuilding our societies from hurricanes and other climate impacts alone. We need climate justice. If global temperatures continue to rise at the current pace and exceed 1.5°C, the Caribbean may eventually become uninhabitable. The support of Latin America and the Caribbean is vital to Brazil's efforts for a fair outcome when world leaders convene later this year.”

Thanks to Ambassador Corrêa & Brazil

Mr. Wheatley personally thanked Ambassador Corrêa for the Brazilian Government's engagement with the Caribbean on priorities for climate action as vulnerable SIDS.

The second Parliamentary Summit on Climate Change and Just Transition for Latin America and the Caribbean took place from August 6 to 7, 2025, in Brasília, Brazil.

It was organised by the Parliamentary Observatory for Climate Change and Just Transition (OPCC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

The VI currently serves as Vice Chair of ECLAC, the Regional Conference on South-South Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee.