Damage and loss and climate change were the focus of discussions when Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, met with Denmark’s Ambassador to Barbados, Kim Højlund Christensen.
The topics were discussed during a courtesy call at Ilaro Court yesterday, following the Ambassador’s presentation of credentials to the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.
Ambassador Christensen, who resides in Mexico City, Mexico, is also accredited to Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Minister Symmonds expressed thanks for the role Denmark played in being one of the first countries, in 2002, to pledge “loss and damage” finance to developing countries. The country committed US$13 million to build resilience and enhance disaster recovery in developing countries.
Ambassador Christensen stated that he recognised Barbados has been pursuing a green agenda beyond oil and gas and would see where his country could offer any assistance.
The two officials also discussed marine spatial planning, renewable energy, technical assistance in the area of wind turbines at sea, implementing green energy solutions to combat climate change, managed migration, health and life sciences, and the possible use of Sargassum seaweed as a biofuel.
Barbados and Denmark established diplomatic relations in August 1979.