Bridgetown, Barbados – Senior Minister for the Productive Sectors and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, made history when he appeared before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on behalf of Barbados. His address focused on the urgent need for climate justice and support for small island developing states (SIDS) in the face of the escalating climate crisis.
SIDS, including Barbados, are disproportionately affected by climate change, facing threats such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification. Symmonds emphasized the imperative for global action to mitigate climate change and assist vulnerable nations in building resilience and sustainability.
The ICJ is currently conducting public hearings on the obligations of states in respect of climate change, a landmark case brought by several SIDS. The Court’s advisory opinion on this matter could have profound implications for international climate law and policy, shaping future efforts to address climate change and its consequences.