St. Kitts and Nevis Leads Global Call for Humane Climate Mobility Response

New York, USA, September 24, 2025 (PMO)– Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, issued a powerful call for justice and coordinated global action during a High-Level Breakfast of Climate Mobility Champions, hosted by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.

Co-chairing the event alongside fellow leaders from Tuvalu, São Tomé and Príncipe, Palau, and Australia, Prime Minister Drew underscored the moral urgency of addressing climate-induced displacement, not as a future possibility, but as a daily reality for small island developing states (SIDS).

He pointed to the injustice that countries like St. Kitts and Nevis, among the lowest emitters globally, are among the most affected by rising seas, shifting rainfall patterns, and intensifying storms. The Prime Minister emphasized that climate mobility must not be viewed solely through the lens of emergency response, but rather as part of a broader development agenda that includes planning, protection, and opportunity.

In reflecting on regional realities, Dr. Drew spoke of how Caribbean nations, despite their size and vulnerability, have offered refuge to their neighbors during times of crisis, demonstrating the region’s long tradition of solidarity. But he cautioned that ad hoc responses are no longer sufficient in the face of escalating threats.

Dr. Drew also called for a regional rights-based framework to guide responses to climate displacement and encouraged global partners to invest not just in climate adaptation, but in the skills, education, and infrastructure that will allow affected communities to thrive, wherever they are.

Prime Minister Drew closed his remarks with a strong endorsement of partnerships that elevate local voices and support global frameworks such as the UN’s upcoming Sea-Level Rise Summit in 2026.

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