PM calls for peace and partnership

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has called for greater solidarity between countries and regions to tackle the climate crisis and rising food and commodity prices, as she condemned the war in Ukraine.

As Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean continue to suffer from the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war that began at the end of February, Mottley called for an end to the conflict, declaring that “there is nothing to be gained by a machismo approach to war”.

“What is needed now is for the world to build peace, and build peace in a way that can minimise the further loss of lives, to build peace in a way that can minimise the damage and injury that is felt thousands of miles away from the action of war in Ukraine. Whether we like it or not, the world has been affected in every respect,” she said.

“Each and every household that has had to pay more for gas and diesel, more for goods and more food, each of us has been affected, regrettably, by this awful war. I hope that people will take a commonsense approach to bringing peace, such that we may bring stability first to our people and thereafter, prosperity.”

Her comments came as she addressed the launching ceremony of the Caribbean-EU Partnerships 2021-2027 on Tuesday evening, ahead of the EU/CARIFORUM Ministerial Meetings, which took place on Wednesday in Bridgetown.

“What we want is a platform of solidarity based on mutual respect and friendship as one set of people to another.

“If we can do that I believe we can be equal to the task of the moment and we can ensure that what right now seems an impossible scenario may not necessarily be solved but there will be mitigation of the level of suffering that will take place,” Mottley told the EU officials.

Stressing the need for solidarity and respect in the face of ongoing global challenges, the Prime Minister said it was important for countries with shared values to find a platform for partnership and development.

“It is equally important that we do not deny our reality in a world that is gripped by a climate crisis and that is fuelled, regrettably, by the cancer of inflation that has been spurred by the war in Ukraine primarily, and that is being compounded by the supply chain disruption that started with COVID but has continued apace with the war in Ukraine,” she said.

“Small countries have limited options at this point and therefore, for us, words such as solidarity and justice still matter. I find myself referring to these things more and more because no country on its own can stop the existential crisis of climate,” the Barbadian leader added, while reiterating her call for a review of the per capita income measurement used by multilateral agencies to grant development financing.

Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr Carla Barnett also called on the EU to give the region greater support, noting that the development path of the Caribbean “is unsteady, at best”.

She also highlighted several issues affecting the region, including the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing food insecurity, and the impact of natural disasters and climate change.

“Small, vulnerable economies like ours cannot survive alone. Partnerships remain a core component of our development needs,” said Barnett.

She stressed the need for increased funding, noting that achieving the sustainable development goals required meaningful sustainable development and more support from the multilateral environment.

The European Commission on Tuesday night launched the Caribbean-EU Partnerships 2021-2027 which consist of three main areas for cooperation – Partnership for a Green Deal, Partnership for Economic Resilience and Trade, and Partnership for Governance, Security and Human Development.

The partnerships are based on the new EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement and form part of the EU’s €300 billion (BDS$582 billion) infrastructure investment strategy, known as the Global Gateway, which was designed to deliver sustainable and high-quality projects that take into account the developmental needs of partner countries.

Commissioner for International Partnerships with the European Commission Jutta Urpilainen also announced that some €36.5 million (BDS$71.5 million) will be made available for the region to help build food security.

marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb