Climate change and its effect on small island states, including those in the Pacific, was the main focus of discussion when the new Australian High Commissioner to Barbados, Sonya Koppe, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds.
During the courtesy call, which took place at the Ministry’s Culloden Road, St. Michael office, on Tuesday, Symmonds and Koppe spoke about the sudden changes in weather, as was experienced by the island on Monday, and increasing weather phenomena.
They both noted that one weather event could impact the Gross Domestic Product of a small island developing state and set back its development.
The two officials also spoke about establishing a cricket academy in Barbados; the vulnerability index; the Bridgetown Initiative; climate financing; life sciences; challenges to regional travel, and the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28).
Present at the courtesy call were acting Permanent Secretary Joy-Ann Skinner; Foreign Service Officers II, Asha Pitt and Davion Sealy; and Australia’s High Commission Policy Officer, Gina Granado.
High Commissioner Koppe, who resides in Trinidad and Tobago, presented her credentials to the President of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason, on October 3.
Barbados established diplomatic relations with Australia on January 7, 1974.
