Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds, and Spain’s Ambassador to Barbados, María Cristina Pérez Gutiérrez, in discussion at a courtesy call yesterday. (J. Bishop/BGIS)
Solidarity on issues relating to climate change, climate financing and development and renewable energy were the highlight of a courtesy call hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on Monday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds, and Non-Resident Ambassador of Spain to Barbados, María Cristina Pérez Gutiérrez, engaged in high-level talks on greater development through the Green economy, as well as the development of a maritime transportation sector, at the ministry’s Culloden Road, St. Michael Headquarters.
In his remarks, Minister Symmonds stated: “I would like to signal my gratitude to Spain on [the] support given regarding climate financing for development…[But] reform of the international, financial architecture is needed.
“Climate change is something our people are confronted with… Loss and damage have consequences.”
In her response, Ambassador Pérez Gutiérrez, who is based in Trinidad, agreed that the two countries needed to work ‘hand in hand’, because the issue of climate change was so important.
“If you don’t recognise there is a problem, you won’t recognise you need financing,” she stated.
The two officials agreed that there was room for discussion on issues relating to insurance, with Minister Symmonds quipping: “If you’re not insurable, you’re not investable. We must find a way to leverage our own areas of influence.” (more)
The Spanish ambassador confirmed her country’s willingness to share investment opportunities within the Barbadian economy, adding that Spain has experience with insurance and ways to invest in global technology.
Other topics included in the discussion were: digital technology and connectivity, investment in renewable energy, focussing on net-zero, multilingualism for Barbadians and the mobility of resources between the two countries.
“Alliances must be useful and necessary…We are a small country within a large region…Only through dialogue can we make progress,” Minister Symmonds asserted.
Also present at the courtesy call were: Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Donna Forde, Foreign Service Officer for Europe, Deirdre Holder and Senior Foreign Service Officer, Shani Griffith-Jack.
Barbados and Spain established diplomatic relations on September 29, 1980.
Author: Dionne Best
Source: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/minister-symmonds-alliance-with-spain-beneficial-to-barbados/
