Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister Kerrie Symmonds, presents a gift to Ambassador of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States, Fiona Ramsey, during their courtesy call on Monday at Culloden Road. (T. Henry/BGIS)
Barbados and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their shared commitment to addressing climate change, strengthening trade partnerships, promoting market diversification, and deepening overall cooperation between Barbados and Europe.
During a courtesy call on Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister Kerrie Symmonds underscored Government’s continued advocacy on climate change, noting that Barbados must build resilience across all sectors of national life.
“We intend robustly to maintain our posture, and it’s really twofold – one, the question of climate financing, and then the intersection with climate and development… because the issue of building resilience is critical,” Minister Symmonds stated.
In response, Ambassador of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States, Fiona Ramsey, agreed that global cooperation remains essential.
“Climate change is one of those issues where you need global action, but you also have global awareness now. But I think the challenge you pointed to… is climate financing for the longer term… which is resilience in your national budget, but also resilience in terms of expertise and technology, because everybody has to keep adapting,” Ambassador Ramsey noted.
The discussions also touched on the development of a regulatory framework for Artificial Intelligence, the enhancement of trade relations with Europe, market diversification, climate financing, and the role of insurance in mitigating climate-related risks.
Barbados established diplomatic relations with the European Union in July 1976, when the EU Delegation Office was first opened in Bridgetown.
Author: Dionne Best
Source: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/barbados-reaffirms-partnership-with-european-union/
