The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP29, commenced on Monday 11th November. Trinidad and Tobago seized the opportunity at this pivotal climate change negotiations summit to highlight our country’s advancement in developing a more green, inclusive society to drive economic prosperity.
Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh, Head of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit of the Ministry of Planning and Development led an official COP29 side event entitled ‘Just Resilience: Just Transitions towards a more equal and climate driven society’ supported by Climate Strategies and the Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI).
Mr. Kumarsingh, a stalwart of the UN climate negotiations process, shared expert insights on the impacts of climate change on small island developing states, noting how these can result in economic instability from crop failure due to drought, more frequent and severe storms, flooding, fisheries and biodiversity loss, and more.
Mr. Kumarsingh focus illustrated how Trinidad and Tobago’s Just Transition Policy will accelerate the country’s drive for socioeconomic growth. He posited that transitioning to a greener economy can be a game changer for islands, generating new employment opportunities, enhancing inclusivity, and driving cleaner energy, all of which would redound to the significant benefit of all citizens.
“It is imperative that we build resilience for every woman, man, and child, and leave no one behind,” said Mr. Kumarsingh. “This includes careful consideration of the disenfranchisement of livelihoods arising from the adverse impacts of climate change on vulnerable sectors. We must ensure that our citizenry is empowered, and equipped with the essential tools to forge a strong future.”
Trinidad and Tobago is participating in COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan and the contingent is headed by His Excellency Vishnu Dhanpaul, High Commissioner, Trinidad and Tobago High Commission to the UK; Permanent Secretary Aarti Bedassie-Maharaj, Ministry of Planning and Development. Kishan Kumarsingh is the Head of Delegation for Technical Negotiations. Trinidad and Tobago’s contingent also consists of representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Development, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, the Tobago House of Assembly, Non-Government Representatives from The Cropper Foundation, Climate Analytics, the University of the West Indies as well as youth representatives.
Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles fully supports Trinidad and Tobago’s contingent and emphasises that as party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement we have always played a key role in global climate change discussions.
Minister Beckles also states that “Trinidad and Tobago, as a Small Island Developing State will continue to ensure that its interests are well represented and elucidated at this conference along with other like-minded Parties such as Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and the Group of 77 and China (G77 and China). Trinidad and Tobago’s positions have been consonant with these negotiating groups and the need for raising ambition to limit global temperature increases, addressing loss and damage arising from climate change in a meaningful manner, technology transfer and capacity building, all of which should be supported by easy availability and access to finance.”
