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BERLIN, Germany, June 18, 2026
— Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, joined Heads of State and Government from around the world on June 18 for the opening of the Berlin Climate Mobility Forum, where he issued a strong appeal for climate justice, deeper international partnerships, and greater involvement of local communities in developing climate solutions.
During the High-Level Exchange on the Climate Mobility Principles, Prime Minister Drew joined leaders from Palau, the Marshall Islands, Honduras, Tuvalu, and the Maldives. Organized by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) in partnership with the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the session focused on building international consensus on climate mobility and adaptation strategies.
Speaking before an audience comprising policymakers, development partners, climate specialists, and representatives of civil society, Dr. Drew underscored that climate change is fundamentally an issue of justice, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which contribute little to global emissions yet face some of the gravest consequences.
Referring to the plight of a Caribbean fisherman whose livelihood is increasingly threatened by warming seas and changing marine ecosystems, the Prime Minister drew attention to the unequal burden being borne by vulnerable nations.
“We are not seeking charity, we are not seeking pity. We are seeking justice and partnership, which are fundamental to dealing with these issues,” the Prime Minister stated.
According to Dr. Drew, climate mobility should not be regarded as a sign of failed resilience but rather as an opportunity to safeguard dignity, livelihoods, and communities amid a worsening global crisis. He stressed that while international expertise and support are essential, sustainable solutions must be informed by local realities and indigenous knowledge.
Recalling an experience from the Caribbean, the Prime Minister noted how an externally driven recommendation nearly failed to account for a critical cultural and economic consideration because local stakeholders had not been sufficiently engaged. The experience, he said, highlighted the importance of community involvement.
“Hence, I strongly believe that anything that is to be done at the local level must involve local communities,” Prime Minister Drew said. “It will be considered arrogant to say that local people, who have been living there for hundreds of years, who had developed solutions, and who had adapted to that climate and who had local solutions to any issue, that would be our good enough to include them in your solution.”
The Prime Minister further emphasized that successful climate mobility policies must protect identity, culture, livelihoods, and human rights while enhancing national resilience and security. He commended the Global Centre for Climate Mobility for its collaboration with vulnerable countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis, through initiatives aimed at supporting community adaptation and locally driven responses to climate challenges.
Highlighting ongoing cooperation between the GCCM and stakeholders in Nevis, Dr. Drew pointed to the partnership as an example of how international collaboration can effectively strengthen community-led adaptation efforts. He also stressed the need for climate financing mechanisms to better reflect local priorities, ensuring that vulnerable populations are empowered rather than displaced.
Reaffirming the Federation’s commitment to multilateral cooperation on climate action, Prime Minister Drew called for increased global solidarity in confronting one of the defining challenges of the modern era.
“It is partnerships like these that keep me optimistic, that keep me hopeful. Partnerships like these tell us what is possible. We just have to work together.”
Source: PMO
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