BELÉM, Brazil – Prime Minister Philip Davis has called for stronger global solidarity and decisive action to address the existential threat of sea-level rise, emphasizing that for The Bahamas, climate change is not a distant concern but a daily reality.
In a prerecorded address to a high-level session hosted by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility at COP30, Prime Minister Davis urged world leaders to prioritize sea-level rise as one of the defining challenges of the century.
“Sea-level rise is not an abstract concern – it is our daily reality,” said Prime Minister Davis. “Our islands, our people, and our livelihoods stand on the frontlines of this crisis. Each hurricane season grows more intense, our shorelines recede year after year, and the very land that defines who we are is under threat.”
The Prime Minister referenced recent storms – including Tropical Storm Imelda and Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 system that caused billions of dollars in damage and claimed dozens of lives across the Caribbean – as stark reminders of the urgent need for global cooperation and climate justice
A Call for Global Commitment
Prime Minister Davis reaffirmed The Bahamas’ support for a 2026 UN Sea-Level Rise Summit Declaration that ensures the continuity of statehood, preserves maritime zones, and protects the rights and dignity of those displaced by climate impacts.
“We need a global response that recognizes the scale of what is at stake,” he said. “This Declaration must go beyond words – it must deliver a well-financed, coordinated international response.”
He called for stronger partnerships among governments, scientific institutions, and international financial organizations to advance community-led adaptation, resilience building, and legal protections for vulnerable nations.
Localizing Climate Financing
Prime Minister Davis emphasized that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which contribute less than one percent of global emissions, are bearing a disproportionate burden.
He endorsed initiatives like the Communities Climate Adaptation Facility (C-CAF), which provides quick-impact grants of up to US$100,000 directly to communities within 90 days of application. The Bahamas, he noted, looks forward to participating in this programme.
“This is not charity – this is smart investment in our collective future,” the Prime Minister stated.
“Every dollar invested in climate adaptation and resilience can generate more than ten dollars in benefits over ten years.”
To support such efforts, he proposed a community levy of at least three percent from voluntary contributions to international climate funds, earmarked for community-led resilience projects.
Building a Global Climate Mobility Framework
Prime Minister Davis concluded with a call to build a global ecosystem for climate mobility, protecting the right of people to stay in their homes while enabling safe, voluntary movement for those displaced by rising seas.
“Together, we must build a global ecosystem for climate mobility – one that protects the right to stay, while helping those who are displaced move safely and voluntarily, without losing their rights or identity,” he said.
“The Bahamas continues to be one of the most outspoken voices for climate justice, and I intend to keep it that way.”