I’d like to deliver these remarks on behalf of Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, and my own country Cuba as GRULAC members of the UNICEF Executive Board.
Allow me to begin by warmly welcoming the honorable Minister of Madagascar, the Vice Minister of the Dominican Republic, and the dedicated advocates, Fernando and Adia Your leadership and passion for fostering dialogue and action around climate action and children is inspiring.
This Special Focus Session resonates directly to our region as we share the sense of urgency to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the impact of climate change but most precisely on children. Our region is particularly vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change, and it is our children who bear the brunt of this challenge.
The damage to ecosystems, which many communities rely on for their livelihoods, directly endangers our youngest and most vulnerable. In particular, sea level rise poses a gradual but severe threat to coastal and island communities, threatening livelihoods and infrastructures, displacing families and disrupting children’s lives.
The extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and severe across Latin America and the Caribbean, be it hurricanes, heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires, are not just environmental issues; they are profoundly human issues as they affect our ability to develop.
They disrupt children's access to homestead, education, healthcare, and basic needs,, heightening their vulnerability to infectious diseases, malnutrition, and respiratory conditions and causing injury, displacement and long term mental health challenges.
As climate change exacerbates the reach of disease-carrying insects and worsens food and water insecurity, it undermines the very foundations of children's development, threatening their physical and mental health now and in the future.
In facing these challenges, international cooperation becomes indispensable. Our countries recognize the need for a coordinated global response to address the complex and far-reaching impacts of climate change on children. We must reaffirm our commitment to placing children at the heart of our climate response. The voices of our children, particularly those from indigenous communities and communities in vulnerable situations, must be heard in every discussion, in every decision. We recognize the work undertaken by YOUNGO as the official children and youth constituency in the UNFCCC processes.
Investing in climate education is essential, particularly in regions where the impacts are most severe, as it equips children with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the complexities of climate change and empowers them to advocate for meaningful action.
For our countries there’s a need to ensure that our climate policies incorporate a children perspective, taking into account the unique vulnerabilities that they face. This means integrating children’s rights needs and priorities into national climate strategies. We must work together to ensure that our children have access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and social protection, even in the face of climate disruptions.
COP29 stands at a decisive moment in the struggle against climate change. It is imperative that world leaders and the global community take bold, transformative action to prioritize children's rights, needs and priorities within the UNFCCC ensuring a future where they can thrive on a sustainable, livable planet.
Our countries stand united in advocating for increased support from the international community with due consideration of the principles and objectives we all committed to in the UNFCCC We call for greater financial and technical assistance to help our region mitigate and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, with a special focus on initiatives that protect and empower our children.
UNICEF's commitment to addressing climate change's impact on children has been crucial in our region, particularly in enhancing access to clean water, sanitation, health services, and resilient education systems. Their partnership has been instrumental in safeguarding our children's future, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration.
In conclusion, our countries are committed to being a strong advocate for children in the global climate discourse. We must all ensure that the voices, rights, and well-being of our children are at the forefront of our climate response.
Thank you.