Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and other leaders of Small Island Developing States met this week with the United States President Barack Obama to discuss matters related to climate change.
The leaders exchanged views on the progress of negotiations for the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21), currently underway in Paris.
They also highlighted areas of mutual concern, as well as positive developments. They agreed to continue exchanging views, especially on areas needed for an ambitious Paris agreement.
Also attending the near hour-long meeting were Prime Minister of St Lucia Dr Kenny Anthony; President of Kiribati, Anote Tong; President of Marshall Islands, Christopher Loeak; and Prime Ministers of Papua New Guinea, Peter O’Neill; and Tuvalu, Enele Sopoaga.
Shortly before leaving to attend this high-level meeting, Prime Minister Stuart said the potential outcomes of the Paris discussions would be important to Barbados and the CARICOM region, given the projected adverse effects climate change would have on the countries.
“Climate change is one of the most serious environmental problems affecting Small Island Developing States, such as Barbados. Global warming, as a result of continuing greenhouse gas emissions, is causing changes in weather patterns, which have the potential to negatively impact the environmental, social and economic sectors in Barbados,” he explained.