Garth Simon from the Department of Environment Represents Antigua and Barbuda at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan – Antigua News Room

Garth Simon of Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Environment recently represented the country at a pivotal international forum titled “Improving Climate Resilient Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Lessons Learned from the Adaptation Fund Portfolio and New Financing Windows.” This gathering took place during the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, assembling prominent leaders and specialists from across Latin America and the Caribbean to share vital knowledge and experiences related to the Adaptation Fund’s initiatives. The event also introduced fresh financing opportunities under the new five-year Medium Term Strategy of the Adaptation Fund for 2023-2027.

COP29, standing as the 29th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), acts as a crucial platform for international leaders, policymakers, and environmental advocates. At this crucial juncture, participants converge to address pressing climate issues, disseminate effective practices, and forge new strategies aimed at adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable development.

At this distinguished event, Simon underscored the pioneering efforts of Antigua and Barbuda in climate adaptation, stressing the significance of community involvement, local collaborations, and a synchronized approach combining physical and financial resilience measures. His presentation spotlighted the country’s “Integrated Approach to Physical Adaptation and Community Resilience in the Northwest McKinnons Watershed,” known as the McKinnons Project. Supported by the Adaptation Fund, this initiative is focused on boosting the climate resilience of the McKinnons community by refining urban drainage systems and enhancing the McKinnons Waterway. Such measures aim to mitigate flood risks and amplify water management capabilities.

“Involving the community and building local partnerships has been critical in crafting adaptation solutions that are not only sustainable but also customized to fit specific contexts,” Simon articulated. “By allowing local entities to participate, we foster a deep sense of ownership within communities, thereby enriching the effectiveness and longevity of these resilience measures.”

Moreover, Simon brought attention to the SIRF Fund’s Climate Change Technologies and Just Transition of the Workforce Program. This initiative aims to supply susceptible communities with crucial climate resilience technologies that are typically financially out of reach. It provides support for tools that assist households and communities in coping with climate challenges, thus bolstering preparedness in the face of escalating climate severity.

“Thanks to the SIRF Fund’s backing, we can offer essential equipment and training to those who might otherwise be unable to afford these resilience strategies,” Simon noted. “This financial support has a profound impact, enabling us to shield communities from extreme weather conditions and associated climate threats.”

The efforts by the Adaptation Fund in the region echo a commitment to transformative climate adaptation, with the introduction of new financing options poised to further propel resilience projects in susceptible communities. As Antigua and Barbuda continues to push forward with its resilient projects, the Department of Environment remains eager to expand partnerships with the Adaptation Fund and other stakeholders throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.