From left to right – Executive Director of the Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, Ibrahim Cheikh Diong; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds; and Ambassador Elizabeth Thompson, pose for a photograph following the courtesy call today. (S. Forde-Craigg/BGIS)
Climate resiliency and funding for loss and damage were the main issues discussed when Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, met with the Executive Director of the Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), Ibrahim Cheikh Diong.
Mr. Symmonds, who welcomed the Executive Director to his Culloden Road, St. Michael office, today, noted that it was a critical time for small island developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs) in accessing funding for loss and damage as a result of natural disasters, and aid for development assistance.
He highlighted existential threats faced by small island states and mentioned how Barbados’ fishing sector as well as Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines were impacted by Hurricane Beryl in June last year. He also noted the impact that would be felt by SIDS and LDCs, if there was a reduction of financial aid for climate loss and damage.
“It really is for us to continue in the context of solidarity… to build up that rallying cry that this is fundamental. This is really a matter of an existential threat for those who are really concerned about existential threats for the small island developing states and the LDCs, because you are seeing that priorities, as they are now allocated and being reallocated, are diverting funds everywhere else but not necessarily to this issue….
“I really do feel now that perhaps we have to be even more fervent than before, because really what we are seeing, unfortunately, is a redirecting of priorities, and we then find ourselves in a situation where revenue to try to build out our resilience and make ourselves more sustainable economies, etc., that that is now a problem, making the task of those of you who are trying to raise funds at the Loss and Damage Board level to assist us … a lot more difficult,” Minister Symmonds stressed.
He added that in the current geopolitical climate, global solidarity is needed to address resources allocated to SIDS and LDCs now more than ever.
Mr. Diong concurred and indicated that the Board is keen on highlighting how funding has helped in building resilience and recovery globally, to keep pledges coming in, that go towards such efforts.
“It is extremely important that we showcase the Board’s efforts with its funding.… Making sure that we are driving the stories to show the benefits of funding,” he said.
Minister Symmonds and Executive Director Diong also discussed the upcoming Fifth Board Meeting of the FRLD, which is scheduled to take place in Barbados, from April 8 to 10.
In addition, the two officials talked about building awareness on climate vulnerability, building climate resilience, reduction in development assistance, global solidarity, and COP 30, which will be held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, 2025.
Also present during the courtesy call were Sherpa to Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Ambassador Elizabeth Thompson; Director of the Roofs to Reefs Programme in the Prime Minister’s Office and Advisor to FRLD’s Board Member Ambassador Thompson, Ricardo Marshall; FRLD’s Principal Advisor, Luis Tineo; and Advisors to the Executive Director, Maggie Mutesi and Jihyea Kim.
Author: Sheena Forde-Craigg
