PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – President Jennifer Greelings-Simons leaves here on Monday for Brazil to attend the Bélem Climate Summit, which will precede the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), to be held in Bélem from November 10 to 21.
The Bélem Climate Summit will take place from November 6-7, and the organizers say it is significant because it is the first climate summit to be held in an Amazon city, a location chosen to highlight rainforest conservation and the impacts of the climate crisis on the region.
The summit is also marking the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, and according to a government statement, President Greelings-Simons will participate in discussions on global climate action and explain Suriname’s role as a carbon-negative country.
She will also hold bilateral discussions with fellow heads of state and government leaders, as well as representatives of multilateral institutions, on cooperation in climate finance, forest conservation, and sustainable growth.
The statement said that as a result of her presence, President Greelings-Simons is reaffirming Suriname’s ambition to serve as an example in sustainable forest management, nature conservation, and climate action.
It recalled that during the opening of the 80th 80th United Nations General Assembly in September, she underscored this commitment, which led to a US$20 million pledge from a coalition of international environmental organizations to support nature conservation in Suriname.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Justice Alliance is urging government and delegates attending COP30 to set “clear and ambitious targets” to curb emissions and limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C, considering historical responsibilities and prioritizing people over profits.
The Alliance is also urging the delegates to “improve access to and delivery of climate finance for frontline communities, small and micro-enterprises and civil society organizations as part of a ‘whole of society approach’ and ‘advance a rights-based approach for just, gender-responsive and inclusive action ‘”.
The Alliance said that climate finance must be predictable, programmatic, and transparent, “with the mechanisms in place to ensure that funds are channeled to the local level to meet the needs of frontline communities and build resilient livelihoods”.
It said this includes innovative mechanisms, such as the Caribbean SIDS Climate Premium.
“It must also focus on strengthening the technical and organizational capacity of frontline communities, enterprises, and civil society organizations,” the Alliance added.
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