KINGSTON: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said that addition funding is required to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) fighting the climate change.
He expressed the views during a visit to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The UN chief visited a project that is supporting the Caribbean state to fight the impacts of coastal erosion and global warming.
While praising the initiative, known as the Georgetown Sea Defense, he underlined the need for greater solidarity and financial assistance.
He was of the view that there must be a stronger support from the global community to protect the islands against the sea, floods and storms.
Guterres to a question said that SIDS must have easy and quick access to climate assistance under the Loss and Damage Fund.
The long-awaited system to help vulnerable states offset the damage from droughts, floods and other harsh weather caused by climate change, finally became functional at the UN COP28 climate conference in Dubai last year.
Guterres said that under the support fund, small projects like the one he visited would not need the same level of bureaucracy.
He added the people of the Small Island Developing States are on the frontlines of environment change saying they did not contribute to global warming, but they are paying a heavy price.
The Secretary-General also visited areas of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines that were affected by the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in April 2021.
