CARICOM Chair addresses UN on resilience and cooperation
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell’s address to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, positioned small island nations as leaders in climate resilience and calling for stronger international partnerships to combat global challenges.
Speaking as both the leader of Grenada and the Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mitchell emphasized the urgent need for action on climate change, a crisis that small island nations like Grenada are experiencing firsthand. “We in the Caribbean have for those who are looking to adapt to climate change is simple: Learn from us,” Mitchell urged, inviting the international community to partner with Caribbean nations and learn from their experiences on the front lines of climate change.
The Prime Minister highlighted innovative approaches to disaster preparedness and recovery that Grenada and other Caribbean nations have developed, including financial tools like the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility. These initiatives, born out of necessity, offer valuable lessons for global climate adaptation efforts.
Mitchell’s speech was deeply rooted in the concept of resilience, which he described as “not merely a buzzword – it is the definition of daily life” for the 16 million people in the Caribbean Community. Drawing from his personal journey from a small village in Grenada to the UN podium, Mitchell illustrated how resilience has shaped not only his path but that of the entire region.
Education emerged as a key theme in Mitchell’s vision for building resilience. He emphasized Grenada’s commitment to providing free education up to age 18 and stressed the importance of digital education in preparing youth for the global economy. “Digital education — and digitisation more broadly — is a priority for our government because we know that if we want to build future resilience in the next generation of young people, we need to prepare them with the relevant training now,” Mitchell explained.
The Prime Minister also addressed pressing regional issues, calling for the removal of Cuba from the US list of State Sponsors of Terrorism and an end to the decades-long economic blockade. Regarding Haiti, Mitchell stressed the need for international support to address the country’s acute food insecurity and security challenges.
In a powerful call to action, Mitchell urged developed nations to fulfill their promise of $100 billion in climate adaptation and mitigation support. He emphasized that this partnership requires concrete financial backing to help rebuild with greater resilience. “We are asking for more than just financial aid. We are looking for partnerships where we can work together on climate adaptation,” Mitchell stated.
The Grenadian leader concluded his address with a vision of resilience that goes beyond mere survival. “Resilience is not just about surviving a storm—it is about ensuring that, together, we emerge from it stronger, more united, and more understanding of each other than ever,” he said.
