St. Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew joined the CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Jamaica – Andrew Holness for a press conference at the conclusion of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which was held in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Tuesday, July 08, 2025.
During the ongoing session he shared a comprehensive update that was provided on the key outcomes of the meeting and reflected the collective decisions along with the forward-looking strategies of CARICOM leaders.
Considering this significant gathering, Dr. Terrance Drew shared a video clip from the part where he delivered his speech and penned the caption that – Climate Change is not about sympathy, it’s about justice. Caribbean nation, they did not create this crisis, but they suffer its harshest blows. From devastating hurricanes to rising temperatures and food insecurity, every aspect of life is impacted by this.
He further added that they will not act like victims, instead they will lead as advocates. PM Drew sad that he call on the regional press and partners to help amplify the voice and strengthen the case for justice. Together, they must push forward.
Dr. Terrance Drew Statement
Dr. Drew stated in his official statement that, with respect to the issue of climate change, the Caribbean has been on the forefront of real advocacy and pushing for justice. They have not relented in the efforts to ensure that they see some level of justice.
According to him, just to give them all some background as to why they are continuing to fight for this matter as a matter of justice and not a matter of sympathy or any other discussion around it. They suffer significantly as a result of climate change. This is the hurricane season and right now it is like Russian roulette.
Drew expressed that they don’t know who will be hit and who will hit devastatingly, which will take years of recovery, or the extent of the damage can be such a high percentage of the overall GDP that those countries are set back. They see the effects with respect to the sargassum affecting the beaches throughout the Caribbean and having an impact on tourism.
He further stated that they see the insidious impact of climate change with respect to the increased temperature and so forth and how that is affecting the infrastructure, their daily lives and even health. Climate and health are significant matters, and he speaks as a medical doctor as well.
PM Drew added that Climate and agriculture and food security is affecting every single aspect of their life whether they know it or not and therefore they are expecting that they know and it is reasonable to expect that the court will stand on the side of justice, so they are hoping for a favorable outcome.
Furthermore, if for any reason the outcome that they hope to get is not that will not daunt them in any way. They will continue to be on the front line of this advocacy and seek justice and ask the Caribbean press.
He said, “You all are here, you live in the Caribbean, you suffer from the scourge of climate change. We want you also to join us to make a strong case for the Caribbean, SIDS and other countries that are disproportionately affected by climate change.”
“To say lastly, we have not created the issue, we are the victims of the issue. However, we are not going to act like victims, we are going to be our own advocates and to join with those who want to see justice with this. So we seek international partners but we also seek your partnership. I want to see articles and news items dealing with the scourge of climate change in the Caribbean and spreading it to the wider world. So together I think we can really make a strong case in which we intend to reach a new matter. Thank you very much.” expressed PM Terrance Drew.
Climate Change focused meeting
Prime Minister Terrance Drew delivered a focused intervention on climate change, which reaffirmed that the CARICOM would continue to call for climate justice on behalf of the region’s vulnerable populations. He emphasized the urgent need for global partners to act with greater equity and responsibility in addressing the climate crisis.
PM Drew also emphasized the importance of South-South cooperation and trade. He used his recent engagements with the Government of Nigeria and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) as strong examples of CARICOM’s expanding relationship with Africa.
He underscored his commitment, and that of the wider CARICOM community, to deepening economic and cultural ties with the African continent. Prime Minister Drew concluded his speech by extending a warm invitation to all member states and stakeholders to attend the next CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, which will be hosted by St. Kitts and Nevis from February 25 to 27, 2027, during his tenure as Chair of the Community.