Belize Calls for Reinforced Climate Justice at UN General Assembly

In his address, Minister Fonseca also emphasized the importance of climate justice for developing nations. He explained that Belize is a member of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States, which contributes less than one percent of global emissions. However, these nations feel the impact of climate change heavily, as they depend on traditional sectors. It is for that reason that leaders of the alliance adopted the declaration on sea level rise and statehood on the twenty-third of September. This affirms that the sovereignty or statehood of small island developing states cannot be challenged under any circumstances of climate change-related sea level rise. Fonseca encourages nations to offer support for this cause.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“We invite all UN member states to support the implementation of this declaration. And to use it as the basis of international cooperation.  To further guarantee that SIDS will be spared the gravest climate threats, global warming must be limited to well below one point five degrees Celsius.  Belize urges the G20 to enhance their emission reduction targets to achieve global warming. This temperature limit for SIDS  adaptation is imperative and loss and damage associated with climate change is inevitable. The new climate finance goal to be decided in Baku must contain specific recommendations for minimum allocation to SIDS in relation to grant based and concessional finance. for adaptation and grants for loss and damage. It must also give effect to the provisions of the Paris Agreement, which require enhanced access for SIDS and LDCs to climate finance. Finally, it must support the urgent capitalization of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.”