Ministry of Environment brings the nation’s children together for a Sustainable Island State-themed Youth Forum ahead of COP29 for Sustainability Month

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, 25 October, 2024 – The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, led by the Hon Dr Joyelle Clarke, hosted a Pre-COP29 Youth Forum guided by the theme Climate Action and YOU(th) as part of the SISA roll out plan. It was held on Wednesday 23 October 2024 at the Royal St Kitts Hotel. The Youth Forum brought together students from the Grade 6 level straight through to Form 5 with the aim to educate them on holistic climate action and to explore with them the connection between climate, sustainability, and youth.

The Forum was broken down into three sessions with young professionals facilitating sub themes.

The Sustainable Wellness Session explored ways in which climate change affects the body and mind just as much as it affects the earth.
a. Zahra Jacobs, local counsellor, spoke on the sub-theme Happy Planet, Happy Me – Deep diving into the linkage between climate change and mental health/wellbeing.
b. Dr Dasima Martin, local Sports Medicine Physician dived into Healthy Bodies, Healthy Planet – Exploring how climate change affects physical health and the measures that can be taken to maintain good health and wellbeing.

Climate Science Session explored climate science in the context of youth and sustainability/sustainable development.
a. Sade Hanley, local environmentalist tackled Map the Change – Discovering the effects of climate change on our local geography.
b. Tremaine Bowman, Trinidadian Scientific Project Manager spoke on Climate Action for All Creatures – Discussing the importance of biodiversity conservation in our Caribbean.
c. Josiah Burkett, local GIS Officer, discussed Tech to the Rescue – How technology can help support and fuel climate action initiatives.

A Wrap up Dialogue featured members of the St Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA) and the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, as they recapped the sessions, expressed what stood out the most for them, and finally detailed how they could integrate lessons learned into their daily life.

Hon Dr Joyelle Clarke, Minister responsible said the youth of Saint Kitts and Nevis being the inheritors of our nation are critical voices in shaping the work of the present to create a better future.

She said, “Recognizing this, this Forum brings together climate experts, mental wellness professionals, students and youth leaders to explore current national policy, share insights and cultivate actionable, youth-led solutions that are based in inclusivity and full-scale representation.”

Several Ministers of Government attended the Forum including the Prime Minister, Hon Dr Terrance Drew who spoke on Climate Justice and Minister of Youth Empowerment, Hon Isalean Phillip who addressed policy development especially in the interest of stakeholders.

The Youth Forum follows the commitments made at the National Youth Spotlight Dialogue held during COP28 last year. It is also in keeping with the mandate of the Federation’s Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA).

The 29th Session of the UN’s Conference of the Parties (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan from 11-22
November 2024.

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