COP16 agenda stalls
Cali, Colombia hosted the COP16 UN Biodiversity Conference last week, with several Caribbean nations in attendance. Despite high expectations, many observers were disappointed in the (lack of) outcomes from the initiative. The summit “ended in disarray,” according to The Guardian, reporting that amid delayed and stalling talks, “Governments failed to reach a consensus on key issues such as nature funding and how this decade’s targets would be monitored.”
Many SIDS, such as those in the Caribbean and Pacific, were particularly put under pressure by the delays, with many countries leaving early to avoid flight cancellations and the meeting ending the morning of Saturday November 2nd due to a lost quorum. Reuters added, “Nations at COP16 pledged $163 million in contributions to the (Global Biodiversity Framework Fund), bringing total contributions to roughly $400 million - far from a major contribution to the $30 billion target from nations by 2030.” Caribbean stakeholders have long called for greater financial commitments from nations in the Global North most contributing to climate change.
One key success, though, was an agreement to establish “a permanent body for Indigenous and local communities to officially consult on U.N. nature decisions, as well as recognizing the role of Afro-descendant communities in conservation,” per Reuters. An additional agreement will mandate pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies to “pay for the use of genetic information drawn from biodiversity in their research and development,” with half of these funds set aside for Indigenous and local communities (see also UN). Antigua and Barbuda representative Crown Counsel Nneka Nicholas had been a key leader driving for the sharing of benefits from genetic resources, per Caricom.
Climate Justice
A working paper published at SSRN assesses the economic and financial impacts of extreme weather events on small economies, particularly in SIDS. They found that between 2000-2022, there was an estimated total of $107 billion in indirect economic loss and damage in SIDs countries caused by extreme weather events.
Petchary’s blog discusses the impact of coral bleaching - triggered by warming water and a primary side effect of climate change - on Jamaican textile artists. In response, artists have been participating in various exhibitions and campaigns against deep sea mining, showcasing ocean-related work.
The Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) analyzes the hurricane unpreparedness levels across various Caribbean nations, noting the role that ideology and policy development play in disaster responses.
The Caribbean and the World
Jeshua Bardoo, a lawyer, activist, writer, and NGO leader from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa where he participated in panel discussions on the criminalization of poverty and homelessness, among others, reports iWitness News.
Kari Grenade published on LinkedIn a memo on what Caribbean citizens need to know about the global economy, noting that Caribbean economies have been resilient despite the shock of COVID-19.
The Caribbean is pushing for reform of the UN Security Council, writes Nand C. Bardouille at UNU-CRIS.
In Current Affairs, Stephen Prager highlights various instances of Republican Party racism towards Haitian immigrants and outlines how the party has scapegoated the Haitian immigrant community to try and gain political points.
“The Canadian government’s recent decision to reduce immigration and temporary foreign worker approvals is expected to have significant economic impacts for many Jamaicans,” reports Gleaner. (see more about the immigration cuts at AMB 10/28/24)
Human Rights
“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and there has been little attention to it in The Bahamas,” writes Alicia Wallace at The Tribune, calling for increasing awareness of the issue, both as it relates to partners and to parenting: “It is difficult to leave behind practices that we have known our entire lives, especially when we think they give us power. Ruling by fear is much easier than engaging with love. It takes practice. For many, it requires professional help. Be encouraged to contact a mental health professional or call the Bahamas Crisis Centre to talk about this issue and how you can be a better parent. It will go a long way in helping your children to understand abuse, identify the signs quickly, and without conflating it with love, and have loving, respectful intimate partner relationships.”
“An escalating gang war in Haiti killed or injured 1,745 people between July and September, according to a new United Nations human rights report, representing a more than 30 percent increase from the previous quarter. At least 106 extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions were carried out by law enforcement officials,” reports Al Jazeera.
The Lest We Forget podcast explores homophobia in Jamaica and rumors of gay police officers. “Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of homophobia, homophobic language, murder and police brutality. There are also brief mentions of slavery and rape.”
In her blog, Petchary also writes about the slow progress Jamaica has made on disability rights legislation, and notes specific barriers to progress in the country.
Haiti and the Dominican Republic
The Wall Street Journal highlights the human and economic impacts of the Dominican Republic’s mass deportation campaign, noting Haitian workers’ relevance for the DR’s economy. “The new campaign has made Haitian migrants in the country more vulnerable, sending many into hiding.’” (via Americas Migration Brief)
“Over 12,600 individuals were displaced by violent attacks in the neighborhood of Solino in Port-au-Prince, per IOM. Solino is (was) “one of the few communities in the Haitian capital not under the control of criminal groups,” according to AP.” (via Americas Migration Brief)
Finance
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President Elisa de Anda Madrazo writes on LinkedIn about the disproportionate burden the FATF places on less developed countries as it sets its international standards to identify, prevent, and prosecute financial crimes such as money laundering and terrorist financing, and outlines the recent reforms to the FATF criteria to avoid these countries ending up on the “grey list.”
Opportunities
The World Bank Group is accepting entries for its Caribbean Regional Opinion Essay Competition on Poverty. The initiative is aimed for youth aged 18-29 to share their ideas on poverty and development.
The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is accepting applications for a Program Management Officer located in Bonn, Germany. For more information and to apply, see here.
Women Strong International is accepting expressions of interest for grants related to climate and environmental justice, in alignment with gender-equitable principles. Grantee partners will also join the WomenStrong Learning Lab community.
The Loss and Damage Collaboration is calling for case studies on access to climate, development, or humanitarian finance for communities, Indigenous Peoples, local civil society organizations, and organizations representing marginalized groups ahead of the 4th Board Meeting of the FUnd for Responding to Loss and Damage. Case studies can be submitted here.
Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center is accepting applications for its 2025-2026 Global Economic Governance Fellows Program. More information here.
The Witness Stand platform “amplifies the voices of those impacted by climate change featuring powerful video messages that are calling for#ClimateJusticeAtTheICJ! You can become a Climate Witness and raise your voice too!” More information here.
Events
University College London (UCL) will host two seminars as part of its Caribbean Seminar Series.
November 13, 2024: Worthy of Freedom: Indenture and Free Labor in the Era of Emancipation
January 29, 2025: The Driver’s Story: Labor and Power in the World of Atla
The European Journal of International Law announced a series of webinars, films, lectures, and workshops related to climate change and development.