Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and most importantly, the young voices of our Caribbean future,
Good morning!
Looking around this room, I see that the future of CARICOM is in good hands.
There is so much positive energy in this room. It’s the kind of youthful, positive energy we need to build a bright future together for this region.
Today, we gather as one Caribbean community rising to overcome our most pressing challenges.
Our region has its share of social and economic issues that require our focused attention, but the biggest challenge of all is not of our own making.
I’m talking, of course, about climate change.
We’ve contributed the least to this problem, yet our nations bear the brunt of the catastrophic effects of the climate crisis.
We are feeling the effects every day. We have seen rising sea levels; more floods, droughts and bushfires; and, of course, more powerful, and frequent storms.
Many lives have been lost, and billions upon billions in economic damages have been inflicted on our economies.
Though we often speak about the impact climate change will have on the world in the future, the truth is that it has already exacted a tremendous toll on the Caribbean.
Unfortunately, without sufficient global action, we must brace for even more adverse impacts in the near future.
But this is not an inevitable outcome.
There is an alternative still within reach.
To achieve it, we must unite, mobilize, and drive action toward our shared goals of a cleaner, more sustainable world.
The clock is ticking. Each day spent not pushing for change brings us another day closer to the worst-case scenario for our region.
The time for action is today.
And you are the drivers of that action.
You, the young minds in this room, are the catalysts for change.
You are the disruptors, the innovators, and the visionaries who will not only inherit this planet but fight fiercely to protect it.
From Nassau to Kingston, from Bridgetown to Georgetown and Port of Spain, a wave of youth activism is sweeping through our region.
It’s powerful.
It’s unstoppable.
And it is making world leaders sit up and listen.
But listening is not enough. That is why this forum matters.
This forum is where your voices move from protest to policy, from ideas to implementation, and from passion to progress.
The world is watching. The upcoming Youth COP in Brazil is not just another climate change conference, it’s a global stage for young Caribbean leaders to make their mark.
It is an opportunity to demand more, to push further, and to hold those in power accountable.
I have no doubt that the young people of CARICOM will stand at the forefront, leading the charge.
Let the world know that it is your generation who will bear the weight of global inaction on carbon emissions.
Therefore, it is your generation that must be in the driver’s seat as we chart the way forward toward real, sustainable solutions.
Let the established order know that we will not accept any more half-stepping and empty rhetoric. We need real action and we need it now.
So, be brave. Be bold. You can be the changemakers who get the world back on a sustainable track.
Remember that leadership is not about age.
It is about courage.
It is about conviction.
And when it comes to climate change, our young people have shown more leadership than many who have held titles for decades.
So today, I stand as an ally in this fight.
The Government of The Bahamas stands with you.
We will champion policies that promote sustainability.
We will invest in green technology.
We will push for stronger climate financing.
And we will ensure that youth voices are shaping the decisions that will define our future.
This is your future, your moment, and your fight. And I have no doubt that with you leading the way, we can win.
Let’s build a Caribbean that doesn’t just survive; it thrives.
Let’s show the world that when CARICOM stands together, we are a force too powerful to ignore.
One Youth. One Voice. One Future.
Let’s make it happen.
Thank you!