The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) serves as a significant event for the advancement of global climate initiatives, concentrating on key thematic areas vital for meeting the objectives set forth in the Paris Agreement. Commonly referred to as the “Finance COP,” this year’s conference will emphasize important topics, including adaptation, loss and damage, carbon markets, and, notably, Climate Finance. As nations work to enhance their climate pledges and strategies toward achieving net-zero emissions, COP29 offers an essential venue for collaboration among governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to promote effective climate solutions for a sustainable future.
The delegation from Dominica, headed by Hon. Minister Cozier Frederick, comprises a team of technical specialists and negotiators:
– Mr. Edgar Hunter, Senior Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Environment
– Mr. Collin Corbin Guiste, Project Development Officer at the Ministry of Environment
– Mr. Median Larocque, Coordinator of the Investment Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture
– Ms. Clara Martha Charles, Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer at the Ministry of Health
– Mr. Johnathan Kelvin Alie, Field Programme Representative at Conservation International
– Ms. Annika K. Bellot, Article 6/Legal Negotiator, AOSIS Fellow, and Attaché at the Permanent Mission of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the United Nations
– Ms. Jodie Luke, Loss & Damage/Legal Negotiator for the New Generation Program, Climate Change Initiative at Platinum Law Chambers
– Ms. Emmana Jeffers, Youth Negotiator representing the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (Dominica Chapter) in the Climate Youth Negotiator Program
– Ms. Whitney Melinard, Youth Negotiator and Social and Climate Justice Advocate
In addition to leading Dominica’s delegation, Hon. Frederick will also represent Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as a member of the Facilitative Working Group (FWG) of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) and holds the title of CARICOM Ministerial Champion for Adaptation.
Why send an evironment expert or ecologist when you can send Cozier? I imagine he will be demanding money rather than engaging in any kind of productive discussion or networking. All he ever seems to do.
This COP 29 will be an exercise of futility just like the other twenty eight. Monetary and other pledges made are never kept. Spending many thousands of dollars to attend this particular conference is like throwing money to the wind.
Most of these poor countries crying out for climate justice they too contribute to the degradation of the land, sea, waterways and atmosphere. They are mostly focused on receiving raw cash which disappears without a trace.