Dr. Vince Henderson, Dominica’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, Climate Resilience, Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy, provided an update on his recent trip to New York. He also praised Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland for prioritizing climate change.
She said the visit was part of a team meeting with United Nations representatives from Commonwealth countries ahead of the June 20-26 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda and a crucial leaders’ vote to elect a general secretary.
He thanked the country representatives who met with the Dominica team and appreciated their time, comments and support.
“As Minister for Climate Resilience, Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy, I have seen the priority given to climate issues by the Commonwealth under the leadership of Baroness Patricia Scotland,” Henderson said.
He said Baroness Scotland backed his calls for urgent and sustained attention to climate issues by the international community through ambitious climate initiatives including;
- Assistance to member countries in the development and implementation of their national climate plans through the Climate Action Enhancement Package;
- Improving access to finance for African, Caribbean and Pacific states through the flagship Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Centre;
- Integrate gender and youth issues into climate action;
- At a critical time for climate action, we look forward to Baroness Scotland continuing her tenure as we advance our energy resilience and transition plans, fund our adaptation and mitigation projects, and solidify the issues of small states and Africa.
