Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosts diplomat symposium

(ZIZ News) — In continuing the observance of Diplomatic Week, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation hosted a symposium at the St. Kitts Marriott Ballroom on Tuesday April 5.

The goal of the symposium was to provide a better understanding of the many facets of climate change.

High Commissioner to the High Commission to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Dr. Kevin Isaac served as the moderator and spoke on the urgency of addressing climate change.

“Climate change like poverty is real. It doesn’t respect borders. The actions of a few far away have devastating impact everywhere around the world. Realizing our Sustainable Development goals will require coming together, rethinking Sustainable development, what it means and bringing all hands on deck”, Isaac said.

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s Governor, Timothy Antoine gave a brief presentation on the financial aspect of Climate Change and suggested the adaptation of fiscal rules.

“I think we have to make budgetary provisions for Climate Change and to do that our governments need to create the fiscal space because right now we’re pressed. St. Kitts and Nevis might be better than many in the OECS in that regard but the reality is that we all are pressed and it behoves us to ensure that we manage prudently. One of the things at the Central Bank that we are strongly encouraging countries to do is to adopt fiscal rules which basically limits the debt to GDP ratio”, Governor Antoine explained.

Accompanying Governor Antoine on the panel were Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Dr. Kenrick Leslie and Head of Oceans Governance Unit to the OECS, Dr. Asha Singh.

The panellists took time to discuss and answer questions in a Q&A segment.

The symposium was held under the theme: “The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda: Demystifying Climate Change”.