Prime Minister Philip Davis contributes to the UN General Assembly Debate on September 27, 2024.
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip "Brave" Davis delivered a speech at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting the urgent need for climate action and announcing The Bahamas' candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2032-2033 term.
Mr Davis criticized the disparity in funding for climate-related issues in his address in New York on Friday.
“Member states can somehow quickly find eye-watering sums of money for bullets and bombs, but only rattle small change in their pockets when it comes to financing the costs of loss and damage,” he said. He described the ongoing climate crisis as a significant threat to humanity, noting its impact through extreme weather events.
Mr Davis urged the Security Council to integrate climate considerations into its work.
He said: “The Security Council of the future will not be equipped to deal with the biggest crisis of our time without voices like ours at the table.”
He emphasized the importance of including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in global decision-making.
“It is a cruel irony that industrialized nations who bear the greatest responsibility for the climate crisis often perpetuate another form of injustice,” he said, advocating for a fairer international framework that ensures all voices are heard and respected.
Mr Davis outlined The Bahamas’ unique vulnerabilities and innovative responses to climate challenges, including the establishment of a National Youth Guard to empower young environmental advocates.
He said: “Over 40% of my country’s national debt is a direct result of the impacts of climate change.”
As COP29 approaches, he stressed the need for enforceable commitments from developed nations, saying that “while global military expenditure soared to an unprecedented $2.4 trillion last year, the Loss and Damage Fund has secured a mere $800 million in pledges,” and called for the fund’s full operationalization.
In closing, Mr Davis urged global leaders to act urgently.
“We are not asking for a hand-out, but for a hand up. Even the strongest swimmer drowns if left alone in a raging sea,” he said.
Comments
hrysippus 1 month, 2 weeks ago
On a strictly per capita basis The Bahamas as a country does not not do well in terms of our contribution to using fossil fuels and producing green house gases. It not just our diesel powered generation of electricity but more the air travel of our major industry.
Porcupine 1 month, 2 weeks ago
The end of the PLP duplicity cannot come soon enough for The Bahamas. Listening to the likes of our PM speaking on a national platform is downright embarrassing, if one knows the truth. The PLP has always been looking for a handout. They have only managed to help themselves. This time is no different. Is there a strong swimmer in all of Parliament? Just asking. Bunch of greedy jokers and self righteous do nothings.
sheeprunner12 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Can our PM point to 2 or 3 tangible national projects that his Government has undertaken by his Cabinet Ministers on the ground to make our country safer or more resilient from climate change????
This PLP Minister of Environment is the most ineffective one to ever sit in that chair, despite all of the talk that he had 2017-21.
I don't know of anything beyond empty rhetoric.
moncurcool 1 month, 2 weeks ago
You are correct. The PM all over the place talking about other countries and his government has not done one thing related to making his own country more resilient to climate change.
By the way, I even forgot we had a minister of environment. Don't even hear a peep from him.
Sickened 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Was he speaking to an empty room again?
zemilou 1 month, 2 weeks ago
When unaccompanied by reason, ambition is folly.
Or, on a more profound level: "For folly that he wisely shows is fit; But wise men, folly-fallen, quite taint their wit." William Shakespeare,
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