St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Drew urges global action on climate and security at UN General Assembly

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, addressed the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly with a powerful speech calling for immediate global action on climate change, security, and justice. Speaking on behalf of small island developing states (SIDS), Dr. Drew underscored the universal threat posed by climate change to nations like St. Kitts and Nevis, while emphasising the need for partnerships rather than pity.

Highlighting St. Kitts and Nevis’ transformative journey to become the Western Hemisphere’s first Sustainable Island State, Dr. Drew laid out a bold vision for St. Kitts and Nevis guided by seven key pillars: Water Security, Energy Transition, Food Security, Sustainable Industry, Sustainable Settlements, Circular Economy, and Social Protection. 

The prime minister outlined the concrete steps the Federation is taking to realise this vision, including the construction of renewable energy desalination plants, the advancement of geothermal energy on the island of Nevis, and the development of climate-smart infrastructure such as a modern hospital and affordable housing solutions.

“St. Kitts and Nevis stands before you today, not seeking pity, but partnerships. We are taking bold, tangible actions: building climate-smart, affordable housing solutions, ensuring that our people have a safe, sustainable place to call home,” Prime Minister Drew declared.

Dr. Drew also noted the construction of one of the Caribbean’s largest solar plus storage projects, as well as his government’s progress toward meeting the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) "25 by 25" goal, aimed at reducing food imports to the region by bolstering local food production.

Prime Minister Drew’s remarks extended beyond climate action, as he touched on the need for global justice and inclusivity. He stressed that security and sustainability are intertwined and warned, “We cannot build secure nations while allowing the climate crisis to rob future generations of their birthright.” 

In a passionate plea, he called on the global community to prioritise people over profit and the planet over power and asserted that true security encompasses dignity, justice, and hope for all.

Reflecting on the founding principles of the United Nations, Dr. Drew reminded the Assembly that 79 years ago, in the wake of war, world leaders sought to build a system of diplomacy that could transcend destructive intolerance. Yet today, he lamented, the world seems to be regressing toward a reality where peace is enforced at gunpoint and violence is romanticised in the pursuit of power.

“We must reject business as usual and embrace a new path forward: one that values people over profit, one that prioritises the planet over power. The rising tides do not respect borders, and the fires of conflict burn without discrimination,” Prime Minister Drew said.

He vividly described the challenges faced by Caribbean and other small island nations, including how rising seas and intensifying storms threaten both our environment and the livelihoods of millions. Dr. Drew also pointed to the increasingly dire impacts of climate change, from disappearing beaches in St. Kitts and Nevis, which jeopardise the country’s tourism industry, to devastating storms such as Hurricane Beryl which became the earliest Category Five hurricane on record in July 2024.

Dr. Drew emphasised the importance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in building resilience against such threats but warned that the world was falling short of these objectives. According to the UN’s 2024 SDGs Report, only 17 percent of targets are on track, a reality Dr. Drew likened to "a death sentence” for small island states if urgent action is not taken.

In a significant announcement, Dr. Drew revealed that St. Kitts and Nevis will co-host the Global Sustainable Islands Summit in May 2025 in collaboration with Island Innovation. The summit will build on the momentum of the 2024 SIDS4 Conference and serve as a platform for advancing sustainable development on islands worldwide.

“Our islands are the sentinels of climate change and the proving ground for sustainable development,” Dr. Drew said, while extending an invitation to leaders of island nations to engage in the summit and commit to meaningful change.

Dr. Drew praised the recent adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), which he described as a “lifeline” for small island developing states. He called for the full implementation of the MVI across international financial institutions, emphasising that the index would help cushion SIDS from the economic and climatic shocks that disproportionately affect them.

Turning to global governance, Prime Minister Drew also called for the reform of the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council, to better represent vulnerable regions such as the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. He also pledged solidarity with the government of Barbados in advocating for financial and climate justice through the Bridgetown Initiative.

Dr. Drew reaffirmed CARICOM’s commitment to supporting Haiti’s National Transitional Council, expressing hope that the establishment of a Multinational Security Support Mission would pave the way for a brighter future for the Haitian people. He also called for an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba, describing it as a “stain on our collective conscience,” and voiced support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the United Nations system, particularly in the World Health Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization.

Dr. Drew culminated his presentation by urging world leaders to stand with small island developing states in their fight for sustainability and justice.

“When the waters rise in the south, even the north will eventually drown. When the forests burn in the north, the south too will choke from the smoke, for it is one planet; one Human Race,” he said.