The Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development on Tuesday, 21st April 2026 convened a high-level Climate Adaptation Action Workshop at the Beachcombers Hotel, bringing together national leaders, technical experts and regional partners to advance the country’s climate resilience strategy.
The workshop, held in collaboration with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre and funded by the Green Climate Fund, focused on strengthening Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ National Adaptation Plan and sector-specific responses.
Delivering a strong and forward-looking address, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development, Honourable Dr. Kishore Shallow, made it clear that climate adaptation is no longer optional. He underscored that as climate impacts intensify; the country must move decisively to safeguard its future. The Minister stressed that access to climate finance must not be a barrier to progress and intimated that there must be advocacy for simplified and more accessible financing processes, supported by stronger domestic systems and frameworks. He further emphasised that sustainability must be embedded in every development decision, positioning it as a non-negotiable principle of national advancement.
Minister of Fisheries, Marine Conservation and Climate Resilience, Honourable Conroy Huggins, highlighted the increasing complexity of climate-related challenges, noting that fragmented approaches will not suffice. He stressed the urgent need for stronger coordination across sectors and institutions, pointing to collaboration as a critical enabler of effective adaptation and resilience-building efforts.
Dr. Colin Young of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre brought focus to the human dimension of climate action, emphasising the importance of a just transition grounded in a people-centred approach. He noted that policies and programmes must be designed to protect livelihoods, promote equity, and ensure that vulnerable populations are fully included in adaptation efforts.
Director of the Sustainable Development Unit, Ms. Janeel Miller-Findlay, set the tone for the workshop by underscoring the urgency of the climate crisis, calling for immediate, coordinated and sustained action to address escalating risks facing the nation.
Providing technical insight, Environmental Analyst Mr. Kurt Dougan outlined the importance of sectoral adaptation planning, explaining how targeted strategies across key areas such as tourism and coastal and marine environments are essential to translating national priorities into practical, results-driven action.
The workshop also featured a presentation on the Revised National Adaptation Plan, noting that approximately 90 per cent of critical infrastructure in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is located along the coast, reinforcing the need for strategic, climate-resilient planning.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to driving a coordinated, inclusive and results-oriented climate adaptation agenda, ensuring that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is progressively resilient, competitive and sustainable in the face of global climate change.
SOURCE: Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation,and Sustainable Development
