Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has called on world leaders at COP31 to honour their climate commitments and improve access to financing, warning that vulnerable countries cannot continue bearing the cost of a crisis they did little to create.
His address highlighted the consequences for Saint Lucians: farmers losing crops to drought, households facing unreliable water supplies, fishers threatened by warming seas, and businesses dependent on healthy coastlines.
Recalling the Caribbean’s fight to secure the 1.5°C goal in the Paris Agreement eleven years ago, the Prime Minister urged leaders to uphold that ambition.
“In Paris, we fought to put 1.5 degrees at the heart of the global response. In Antalya, we must put delivery at its heart,” he said.
Prime Minister Pierre outlined the threefold burden facing vulnerable countries: climate destruction, development delayed as resources are diverted to recovery, and additional debt incurred to rebuild.
He called on major emitting countries to deliver meaningful emissions reductions and pressed for predictable adaptation funding, more grants, affordable financing and simpler access to climate funds. Support, he argued, must reflect countries’ vulnerability, rather than national income alone.
“We cannot build resilience on promises. We need finance, technology and partnerships that reach our communities.”
For Saint Lucia, that support would help protect water supplies, strengthen infrastructure and safeguard livelihoods. The Prime Minister also called for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage to be adequately funded so that assistance reaches vulnerable communities when it is needed most.
He acknowledged Saint Lucia’s efforts in renewable energy and cleaner transport, stressing that national action must be matched by a global response.
“Success in Antalya will not be judged by the declarations we make, but by the action we take, the commitments we honour, and the lives we improve.”
The 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP31) is being held at the Antalya Expo Center in Antalya, Türkiye from 9 till 20 November 2026.
Murat Kurum has been nominated as President of COP31 while Chris Bowen of Australia will be the President of Negotiations at COP31.