The Honourable Premier, Mr. Donaldson Romeo, has confirmed that he will attend the CARICOM-UN High Level Pledging Conference: Building A More Climate-Resilient Community’ from 20th to 21st November at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York.
CARICOM, with the help of the United Nations, will hold the conference to mobilise financial support for Caribbean countries devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The 2-day initiative is therefore aimed at rebuilding devastated Member States, even as the focus is on helping the wider region improve its resilience. International Development Partners, Partner Countries, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), prominent international personalities, private sector entities and Foundations will join Heads of Governments from the Caribbean and beyond, the Secretaries General of both CARICOM and the UN as well as the President of the UN General Assembly.
On the second day, the Honourable Donaldson Romeo will have the opportunity to present ‘Montserrat’s Impact Assessment and Needs’ following the passage of Hurricane Maria and convey his own thoughts on ‘Resilience-Building’.
The Premier will also outline the insufficiencies of existing budgetary aid against the backdrop of the significant development assistance that is still required for the island’s reconstruction of key infrastructure post volcanic eruption and Hurricane Hugo, and the assistance required to build resilience against natural and other disasters.
The Honourable Premier emphasised that this donor conference is timely and important not only for the region, but also for Montserrat, as his Government continues to work hard to build back better and stronger.
In total, eight hurricanes developed between June and October 2017. Irma and Maria, both Category 5 hurricanes, struck back to back in September, wreaking destruction across the region. With winds of up to 185 miles per hour, Hurricane Irma is one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic and caused devastation in a number of Caribbean islands.
