Prime Minister Mia Mottley has called for greater solidarity between countries and regions to tackle the climate crisis and rising food and commodity prices, as she condemned the war in Ukraine.
As Barbados and the remaining of the Caribbean proceed to suffer from the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war that began at the tip of February, Mottley called for an end to the conflict, declaring that “there may be nothing to be gained by a machismo approach to war”.
“What is required now could be for the world to construct peace, and construct peace in a way that may minimise the further lack of lives, to construct peace in a way that may minimise the damage and injury that’s felt 1000’s of miles away from the motion of war in Ukraine. Whether we prefer it or not, the world has been affected in every respect,” she said.
“Every household that has needed to pay more for gas and diesel, more for goods and more food, each of us has been affected, regrettably, by this awful war. I hope that folks will take a commonsense approach to bringing peace, such that we may bring stability first to our people and thereafter, prosperity.”
Her comments got here as she addressed the launching ceremony of the Caribbean-EU Partnerships 2021-2027 on Tuesday evening, ahead of the EU/CARIFORUM Ministerial Meetings, which took place on Wednesday in Bridgetown.
“What we would like is a platform of solidarity based on mutual respect and friendship as one set of individuals to a different.
“If we will try this I feel we will be equal to the duty of the moment and we will be sure that what without delay seems an unattainable scenario may not necessarily be solved but there might be mitigation of the extent of suffering that can happen,” Mottley told the EU officials.
Stressing the necessity for solidarity and respect within the face of ongoing global challenges, the Prime Minister said it was essential for countries with shared values to search out a platform for partnership and development.
“It’s equally essential that we don’t deny our reality in a world that’s gripped by a climate crisis and that’s fuelled, regrettably, by the cancer of inflation that has been spurred by the war in Ukraine primarily, and that’s being compounded by the provision chain disruption that began with COVID but has continued apace with the war in Ukraine,” she said.
“Small countries have limited options at this point and subsequently, for us, words corresponding to solidarity and justice still matter. I find myself referring to these items increasingly because no country by itself can stop the existential crisis of climate,” the Barbadian leader added, while reiterating her call for a review of the per capita income measurement utilized by multilateral agencies to grant development financing.
Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr Carla Barnett also called on the EU to provide the region greater support, noting that the event path of the Caribbean “is unsteady, at best”.
She also highlighted several issues affecting the region, including the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing food insecurity, and the impact of natural disasters and climate change.
“Small, vulnerable economies like ours cannot survive alone. Partnerships remain a core component of our development needs,” said Barnett.
She stressed the necessity for increased funding, noting that achieving the sustainable development goals required meaningful sustainable development and more support from the multilateral environment.
The European Commission on Tuesday night launched the Caribbean-EU Partnerships 2021-2027 which consist of three principal areas for cooperation – Partnership for a Green Deal, Partnership for Economic Resilience and Trade, and Partnership for Governance, Security and Human Development.
The partnerships are based on the new EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement and form a part of the EU’s €300 billion (BDS$582 billion) infrastructure investment strategy, generally known as the Global Gateway, which was designed to deliver sustainable and high-quality projects that take note of the developmental needs of partner countries.
Commissioner for International Partnerships with the European Commission Jutta Urpilainen also announced that some €36.5 million (BDS$71.5 million) might be made available for the region to assist construct food security.
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