Suriname’s President calls on heavy emitters to save the planet – Says country registered carbon credits for the first time

“I call on all heavy polluters to start with this process as well and not to try and manage tax or punish environmentally friendly production in developing countries which are least responsible for the climate crisis. Real change must particularly come from the more developed countries.”- President of Suriname, Hs Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi

As temperatures soar and rising sea levels threaten coastal areas in Suriname, President Chandrikapersad Santokhi took a strident appeal to the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday 20 September, for heavy polluters to do their bid to protect the planet and life on earth.

In his speech on the second day of debates at the UNGA in New York, President Santokhi said Suriname is experiencing extraordinarily high temperatures which pose challenges to the availability of drinking water.

“Inland areas are increasingly flooded by heaving rainfall and coastal areas are threatened by the rising of the sea-water level. As a consequence, the people living in remote parts of our vast interiors are deprived of work, education, basic utilities, and food security is under threat,” President Santokhi told the UNGA.

He highlighted actions the country is taking to remain one of three carbon negative countries in the world. These included registering its carbon credits for the first time and a renewed commitment to more sustainable management of the Amazon Basin along with other Amazonian countries.

“I call on all heavy polluters to start with this process as well and not to try and manage tax or punish environmentally friendly production in developing countries which are least responsible for the climate crisis. Real change must particularly come from the more developed countries.”

He drew attention to the fact that Suriname is at the cusp of promising commercial development of newfound oil and gas resources. These, he said, will allow for capital generation to provide the population with social health and education systems to facilitate increased production in other sectors, and create a sustainable future for the current and next generation.

As the global community prepares for the 2023 climate summit (COP28) in the UAE in November, President Santokhi said,

“Another climate conference is on our doorsteps as we are amidst the reality of the increased intensity of the devastating global impact of climate change. It is regrettable to admit that despite some efforts, the world is still far from reaching the required level of emissions to prevent irreversible damage to our global environment and society, and we are bearing the burnt.”

Against this backdrop, he urged the global community to act to “deliver prosperity of our people and the protection of our planet.”

Small Island Developing States need easier access to climate financing to implement mitigation and adaptation policies, the President stated, adding,

“We must walk the talk regarding loss and damage. We must join efforts call for compensating highly forested countries for the so-called removal credits as these countries so far have acted as carbon sinks for the whole world without any compensation.”

President Santokhi said “urgent and comprehensive” reform of the international financial architecture is the “foremost critical issue” to address the economic and financial environmental challenges developing countries face.

An integral part of this reform process must include a discussion on new ways of classifying countries, he noted, calling on the global community to contribute to the proposed Multidimensional Vulnerability Index.

Despite the challenges, the President said he is optimistic that the transformation envisioned in the SDGs “remains both possible and essential.”

Bemoaning the slow pace of implementation of global pacts, he said:

“We make promises that are not often kept, we express noble goals, but the delivery is poor. This cannot go on. Business as usual cannot be our mantra. No country is spared of the effects of these crises… no country can solve these challenges alone.”

He added that a new approach of conceptualizing multilateralism that is more just, effective and forces the world to unite, one that will demonstrate respect and commitment to international law and cooperation is needed to solve the crises associated with climate change, food insecurity, and pandemic recovery.

“The world simply cannot expect durable solutions in a rapidly changing world if it does not reset the buttons,” the President told the UNGA.

“A strong determined and united UN is a must,” he added.

He reiterated the importance of science, technology and innovation to optimise the inputs needed to make agriculture more productive. In this context, he highlighted the CARICOM Food Security Programme to reduce the regional food import bill by 25% by the year 2025 and promote local production with modern technology.

“The reach and impact of digital technologies will only increase in the coming years. It is therefore crucial that the benefits of these innovations are leveraged to ensure an accessible, transparent, safe and secure digitally transformative environment,” the Surinamese President told the UNGA, noting that Suriname is walking the talk, demonstrated by the recently designed and adopted National Digital Strategy 2023-2030.

The President also used his platform to advocate for the removal of the embargo on Cuba and for the international to support Haitian-led solutions to the crisis there.

“The political, humanitarian and security environment in Haiti is deteriorating. While I appreciate the efforts so far to assist in finding a solution to the crisis, much more political efforts need to be made to translate the intentions into real actions. The people of Haiti are looking toward a regional and international community for assistance.”

 At the same time, he said Haitian stakeholders “must demonstrate the will to dialogue and reach consensus for a way forward in the shortest time possible.”

In an encouraging tone, he said:

“Together, let us harness our collective strengths, knowledge, determination, to create a world where resilience and inclusivity are not just aspirations but realities. Only through joint efforts, we can build a future where no one is left behind, and where the SDGs become a shining beacon of hope and progress for all.”

Source: CARICOM TODAY