Prime Minister Drew: Protecting People Must Remain Central to the Global Response to Sea-Level Rise
Berlin, Germany, June 18, 2026 (PMO) – Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, has called for people-centered climate action and stronger international cooperation to address the growing threat of sea-level rise, warning that for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as St. Kitts and Nevis, the crisis is no longer a future concern but a present-day reality.
Prime Minister Drew made the remarks while participating in a high-level panel discussion on “Protecting Rights in the Face of Sea-Level Rise” during the Berlin Climate Mobility Forum, hosted by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) in collaboration with the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
Joining international leaders, policymakers, climate experts and development partners, Dr. Drew highlighted the profound impact that rising sea levels are already having on communities, economies, livelihoods and cultural heritage across St. Kitts and Nevis.
“We come to this panel, not as a nation awaiting future consequences of sea level rise but as one already managing its harsh reality,” Prime Minister Drew said.
The Prime Minister explained that coastal erosion, coral reef degradation, stronger storm surges and the loss of historically significant sites are no longer theoretical risks but active challenges confronting the Federation. He noted that these impacts extend beyond environmental concerns and increasingly threaten fundamental human rights.
“Sea level rise represents more than just a one dimensional environmental issue,” Dr. Drew stated. “When we speak about protecting rights, we are also highlighting the extent of the threats being posed, threats that hinder the right to life and safety, the right to housing and land, the right to food, water, and basic needs, the right to health, the right to livelihood, the right to culture, identity, and heritage.”
Prime Minister Drew emphasized that protecting people must remain at the center of global climate policy and that resilience-building efforts must be designed to safeguard communities while preserving dignity, culture and opportunity.
The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to showcase the Federation’s Sustainable Island State Agenda, which places climate resilience, environmental sustainability and community empowerment at the core of national development. He noted that St. Kitts and Nevis has been actively pursuing policies and partnerships aimed at strengthening coastal protection, supporting vulnerable communities and enhancing long-term sustainability.
Dr. Drew highlighted the valuable partnership between St. Kitts and Nevis and the Global Centre for Climate Mobility, describing it as an example of how international cooperation can deliver practical, locally driven solutions. He pointed to initiatives such as the Communities Climate Adaptation Facility, which supports community-led adaptation efforts and provides critical financing and policy support for vulnerable populations.
“Multilateralism, of which I am a major proponent of, as well as global partnership, are among our sources of recourse and our pathway for survival,” he said.
The Prime Minister further stressed that climate adaptation strategies must be informed by the people most directly affected by climate change. He noted that successful responses require collaboration among governments, communities, development partners and civil society to ensure that solutions reflect local realities and experiences.
As St. Kitts and Nevis continues to champion climate action on the global stage, Prime Minister Drew reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to working with international partners to protect the rights, livelihoods and futures of vulnerable populations.
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