The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

ST Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Godwin Friday used a diplomatic visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday to urge countries to confront global problems collectively, warning that small island states cannot afford to ignore threats beyond their borders.

Dr Friday visited the ministry while in The Bahamas for Caribbean Development Bank discussions. He addressed officials on the growing importance of international cooperation and climate action.

He said today’s interconnected world requires countries, regardless of size, to pay close attention to developments elsewhere.

“The fact that we are small, the fact that we are open and vulnerable economies, are the very reasons why we have to speak more loudly,” he said. “We are disproportionately affected by the consequences of climate change, and we have a very small carbon footprint, but every year we have to prepare for the hurricane season.”

Dr Friday said Caribbean leaders have been pushing for rapid-response mechanisms within the international community so countries can access assistance quickly after climate-related disasters.

He said the effort has faced challenges over the years but is gradually gaining greater international support.

Dr Friday also reflected on his connection to The Bahamas, recalling that he visited the country in the early 1980s as a final-year undergraduate student conducting research. Officials noted that his master’s thesis focused on the external affairs policies of the Bahamian government.