With COP26 a mere month away, Secretary-General António Guterres today saw firsthand the impacts of climate change in Barbados. Accompanied by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the Secretary-General visited an area impacted by sea-level rise, costal erosion and land slippage, and learned about the enormous efforts being undertaken by the Government of Barbados to address these challenges.
 
According to a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report, the adaptation cost to the developing world stands at $70 billion per year and could rise to as much as $300 billion per year by 2030. Yet, only 25 per cent of climate finance, or $20.1 billion, supports adaptation in developing countries.

The Secretary-General stressed the need to support developing countries with climate finance as “the goal of adaptation is to build resilience to prepare people for the devastating impact of climate change.” He noted that “small island states all around the world cannot do it without much more support”.  He again appealed to developed countries and the international financial institutions to provide at least “50% of climate finance to support developing countries to adapt and build resilience to climate change”. He emphasized that this is a key priority for COP26 in Glasgow.
  
Prime Minister Mottley stressed that unless developing countries have access to funds for adaptation, they “will not make it.”  She emphasized “that it's going to be challenging for the global community to reach the limit for climate change of 1.5 degrees”. She highlighted that small island developing states did not cause the climate crisis, yet, they are “asking us to be both the victim and to carry the cost”. This is “fundamentally immoral and unjust”, she added.  
 
Also today, the Secretary-General met with a group of outstanding young Barbadians working on innovative solutions to the world’s great challenges – from climate action to COVID-19 recovery.  
 
In a frank exchange, the UN Chief told the youth that his generation has failed in meeting expectations to pass a world in good shape to the next generation. He stressed that this generation “cannot afford to fail”, and it is therefore incumbent upon leaders to support young people in their efforts.
 
Maria Marshall, a 12-year-old climate activist and UNICEF Youth Advocate in Barbados, told the gathering that she sees her “future Barbados as a place where people are fully educated on the issues of climate change and environmentally conscious,” and actively pursues this passion through her social media networks.
 
Environmental Researcher Amina Desai underlined that “the threat of climate change is an existential threat”. She noted that “the days are becoming unbearably hot, and the ocean that we love and frolic in can easily turn on us to destroy homes and livelihoods.” She added that she hopes “to be able to help build a more resilient Barbados through her climate action.”
 
While visiting areas on the island impacted by climate change, the Secretary-General also spoke to local media. He said that his visit to the country was a “visit of solidarity with Barbados and its people, solidarity with the Caribbean, and solidarity with all Small Island Developing States.” He explained that “this solidarity is entirely justified because countries, like Barbados, in the front line, are the main victims in a moment that solidarity is need more than ever.” 
 
The UN delegation wrapped up the day’s activities with a visit to UN House, where they met with members of the UN Team working in Barbados and Eastern Caribbean.
 
Tomorrow, the UN Chief will deliver remarks during the Opening Ceremony of UNCTAD-15.