Mr. Edison Rijna, Special Envoy for the BES Islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba) for EU and UN and Economic Development with Latin America and Caribbean, recently appeared on BBC News to discuss the pressing need for climate finance and resilience for Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) at the COP30 Climate Change Conference.
The interview amplified the unified voice of small island territories, stressing their extreme vulnerability to climate change impacts while being limited in their ability to access necessary global funds.
Key takeaways from the Special Envoy’s appearance included:
- The Climate Finance Gap: Mr. Rijna addressed the significant climate finance gap faced by OCTs. He emphasized that the unique political status of these territories, autonomous but not fully sovereign, often excludes them from accessing crucial international climate funds and financial mechanisms designed for independent developing countries.
- Sub-National Island Jurisdiction (SNIJ) Coalition: The SNIJ Coalition, co-led by the Special Envoy’s Cabinet in partnership with Island Innovation is dedicated to bring together island governments to remove finance barriers, accelerate climate action, and keep local priorities at the centre of global decision-making in international forums like COP30.
- Targeted Support and the Green Overseas Programme: The Special Envoy’s advocacy called for a change in how global funds are allocated, ensuring they reach these vulnerable communities. Key organisations like the European Union-funded Green Overseas (GO) Programme is a critical example of the kind of targeted support required, which provides technical assistance and funding to help Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) secure climate funds, build local capacity, and accelerate their transition toward clean energy and resilience.
Mr. Rijna’s high-profile advocacy on the BBC helps galvanize support for both the policy and the ongoing success of critical programs like the Green Overseas (GO Programme), turning the awareness of island vulnerability into tangible investment and action for the future of these territories.
