Climate change poses a direct threat to Small Island Developing States, with the Virgin Islands being no exception. Photo: Facebook/File

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has stated that the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement should not hinder ongoing cooperation on climate change for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Photo: GIS/File

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office is hosting journalists from 15 countries worldwide, including several from the Caribbean and Latin America, for this week-long tour. The forum aims to provide journalists with hands-on experience regarding Germany's leadership in tackling climate change, promoting green energy transition, and highlighting significant initiatives and discussions on climate issues occurring globally. Photo: VINO

His comments were made in an interview with a Virgin Islands News Online international correspondent who is currently in Berlin, Germany, participating in an informational tour focused on the "climate-peace-security nexus."

Informational tour

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office is hosting journalists from 15 countries worldwide, including several from the Caribbean and Latin America, for this week-long tour. The forum aims to provide journalists with hands-on experience regarding Germany's leadership in tackling climate change, promoting green energy transition, and highlighting significant initiatives and discussions on climate issues occurring globally.

During the first two days of the forum, a key concern discussed was the impact of the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

‘VI Supports international cooperation on climate change’

Premier Wheatley emphasised, "The US is a sovereign nation, and we respect their position. However, this decision should not deter our international cooperation on climate change, which the Virgin Islands fully supports."

He highlighted that climate change poses a direct threat to Small Island Developing States, with the Virgin Islands being no exception. He stated, "Climate change presents a direct threat to the Virgin Islands. We are acutely aware of its negative effects and the catastrophic damage it can inflict on SIDS, especially after we were struck by two Category 5 hurricanes in 2017, from which we are still recovering."

Germany, as one of the leading European nations, has acknowledged the urgent need to include Small Island Developing States in climate change discussions due to their vulnerability.

Dr Benjamin Pohl, Head of the Programme on Climate Diplomacy and Security at the adelphi Research Centre in Berlin, emphasised the necessity for enhanced climate diplomacy, particularly considering the vulnerabilities faced by SIDS.

SIDS need international support

The Premier noted that climate change is a global issue that requires international cooperation for effective resolution. He stressed that SIDS will need international support to mitigate their climate vulnerabilities.

Hon Wheatley added that the Virgin Islands is committed to building climate resilience.

"In the meantime, we in the Virgin Islands are enhancing our climate resilience by utilising the fiscal resources at our disposal and operationalising our Climate Change Trust Fund. We will also continue to collaborate with our partners on climate action."

The government of the Virgin Islands (VI) recently appointed a Climate Envoy, former legislator Dr Kedrick D. Pickering.