Climate change issues featured prominently a few days ago when Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and a small group of leaders of Small Island Developing States met with the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.

The leaders exchanged views on the progress of negotiations for the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21), currently under way in Paris.

They also highlighted areas of concern on both sides, as well as positive developments. They agreed to continue exchanging views, especially on areas needed for an ambitious Paris agreement.

Those attending the near hour-long meeting included Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony; President of Kiribati, Anote Tong; President of Marshall Islands, Christopher Loeak; and Prime Ministers of Papua New Guinea, Peter O???Neill; and Tuvalu, Enele Sopoaga.

Shortly before leaving to attend this high-level meeting, Prime Minister Stuart said the potential outcomes of the Paris discussions would be important to Barbados and the CARICOM region, given the projected adverse effects climate change would have on the countries.

???Climate change is one of the most serious environmental problems affecting Small Island Developing States, such as Barbados. Global warming, as a result of continuing greenhouse gas emissions, is causing changes in weather patterns, which have the potential to negatively impact the environmental, social and economic sectors in Barbados,??? he explained.

sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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