Ban Ki-moon pledges UN support to boost disaster preparedness in Caribbean

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended efforts to foster a single Caribbean market while pledging the commitment of the United Nations to mitigating the effects of climate change in the region.

In a message at 28th Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mr. Ban emphasized that its members play a crucial part in furthering the UN’s agenda of peace, development and human rights in the region.

The initiative to create a single Caribbean market “promises to boost economic growth across the region and to provide a sound foundation for sustainable development,” said Mr. Ban.

The statement, delivered by Rosina Wiltshire, UN Resident Coordinator in Barbados in Bridgetown on 1 July, emphasized the importance of addressing climate change as a key UN priority.

In addition to pledging continued UN dedication to strengthening regional disaster response preparedness and aiding in disaster relief, he said the high-level meeting on climate change set for 24 September in New York should “set the stage for a breakthrough agreement to be made during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference” which takes place in Bali in December.

Mr. Ban also paid tribute to the “tremendous commitment” of Caribbean States in helping Haiti, which recently became a full member of CARICOM.