NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC—Prime Minister Phillip Davis says climate justice and climate finance reform are needed to promote a just transition for the Bahamas and all Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Addressing the opening of the second annual Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) conference here, Davis said that, as the conference theme suggests, the time has come to move from awareness to action.
“We have talked ad-nauseum about the need to make headway on the SDGs and the major obstacles to progress. At the top of our agenda is the need to achieve climate justice and climate finance reform to promote a just transition for The Bahamas and all Small Island Developing States. This applies not just to the achievement of SDG 13:Climate Action, but to all of our goals,” Davis said.
The United Nations notes that the 17 SDGs are the blueprint for a more sustainable future. They address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. The UN said that 17 Goals are all interconnected, and to leave no one behind, all must be achieved by 2030.
Prime Minister Davis said that acknowledging the all-encompassing impact climate change has had and will continue to have on economies and societies, “we must fully integrate climate solutions into all of our sustainable development strategies.
“As we accelerate the SDG agenda, we need to be mindful that not everyone in our society knows the SDGs and their importance to global development. They are not aware of the goals we have achieved or those where we still need significant progress,” Davis said, adding that it is critical to promote greater awareness of the SDGs, their importance, and the decisions we are making about them.”
But he said people don’t need to be fully aware for action to be taken. He said that delivering action-oriented change is the only way to increase awareness and buy into the collective vision.
But he said awareness isn’t always the prerequisite for action.
“Sometimes it takes those aware to take the necessary action to drive widespread support. Nothing increases awareness, like implementing action-oriented policies that make a real, positive impact in people’s lives.
“Academics, community organizers, policymakers, legislators, and government leaders have a responsibility to take necessary actions to achieve the SDGs and create a better society for our people,” Davis said, adding, “as we endeavor to leave no one behind in a new economic, social, and climate reality, we must all play our part.”
He said that his government, for its part, is driven by a deep commitment to sustainable development, as many of its policy strategies demonstrate.
“We are certainly making ‘healthy’ strides toward achieving Goal 3, Good Health and Wellbeing. Improving healthcare is one of our top priorities, and we have been greatly encouraged by the success of our burgeoning NHI program.
“We have revamped and will continue to upgrade health facilities across Eleuthera and other Family Islands, and last year, we broke ground on a US$210 million Health Campus in Grand Bahama.
“In New Providence, we actively engage stakeholders as we forge ahead with a new state-of-the-art hospital. We have also brought medical cannabis legislation and longevity and regenerative therapies legislation to parliament, further broadening the physical and economic wellbeing horizons in The Bahamas.”
Prime Minister Davis said efforts to encourage Bahamians to lead healthier lives are further evidenced by food security efforts such as farmers markets and infrastructural developments like the new multi-purpose gymnasium in South Andros.
Prime Minister Davis said that his administration has made progress on most of the SDGs, including education and affordable and clean energy.
“My friends, we are practicing what we preach and making change where it matters most,” he said, adding, “As we move from awareness to action, be reminded that the journey towards sustainable development is collective.
“It requires the concerted efforts of the government, the private sector, civil society, and individuals. We will do our part in the public sector, but corporate support and citizen participation will be just as crucial.”
Prime Minister Davis said, “Together, we can accelerate the SDG agenda and build a sustainable, flourishing future for The Bahamas.”
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