ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on promoting and protecting human rights in climate change, Elisa Morgera, says Dominica’s efforts towards climate resilience have been remarkable.
Morgera, who meets with government officials, representatives from civil society, and other stakeholders, including communities affected by climate change, is urging the Roosevelt Skerrit government and the international community to rely on the human rights approach to consolidate achievements, recognize local innovations and civil society’s contributions, and understand who was left behind from climate response and disaster recovery.
“Dominica has secured a fast recovery after Tropical Storm Erika in 2015 and Hurricane Maria in 2017. These were catastrophic climate events,” Morgera said in a statement at the end of her visit to Dominica, referring to the loss of life, persistent mental health issues, destruction of up to 90 percent of the housing stock, and the loss of over 200 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
“In the face of such dramatic human rights impacts of climate change to which Dominica does not contribute, high-emitting States should provide finance, as well as science and technology cooperation, to protect human rights, biodiversity, and cultural heritage in proportion to their responsibility for the loss and damage experienced due to climate change in Dominica, without increasing its debt,” Morgera warned.
Dominica’s ambition to become the world’s first climate-resilient nation has made significant strides since 2017. She noted cross-sectoral efforts to protect the rights to adequate housing, food, water, health, and education, thanks to substantial investments in the national budget and the spirit of Koudmen, community cooperation, generosity, and service.
“Shifting from top-down delivery towards transformative and collaborative approaches can further advance climate resilience through access to information, public participation in decision-making, and the prevention of discriminatory practices in the distribution of recovery and resilience resources,” Morgera said,
The Special Rapporteur said participatory approaches also contribute to paying more attention to the essential role of biodiversity and cultural heritage in climate resilience.
“This is particularly timely because of the expected expansion of tourism and the imminent launch of land and marine spatial planning processes in the Nature Island of the Caribbean,” she added.
The visit illuminated how transforming Dominica into a global resilience center should rely on valuing and protecting the knowledge, practices, and human rights of the Kalinago People—the most significant remaining Indigenous peoples in the Caribbean islands. The Kalinago have been the guardians of Dominica’s nature and water sources for centuries.
Small-scale fishers, farmers, divers, and other individuals and communities who live close to nature, as well as young people and NGOs, are also making significant contributions to environmental and socio-cultural sustainability.
“But they are not recognized as trusted partners by the Government and face criticism for suggesting alternatives or mitigation measures.
“Dominica must urgently develop comprehensive legislation, through participatory processes, to protect human rights as part of climate resilience, including the rights of environmental human rights defenders, to prevent further environmental and cultural losses and support sustainable prosperity,” the Special Rapporteur said.
The visit also provided an opportunity to clarify the responsibilities of bilateral donors, International Financial Institutions, and the UN System to prevent and provide effective remedies for human rights or environmental harm arising from climate resilience or development projects.
The expert also urged these partners to provide direct funding to community-led and youth-led initiatives in Dominica. The full report of the expert’s visit will be presented to the 62nd UN Human Rights Council session in July 2026.
and then 