New York, September 25, 2024 — Her Excellency President Dr. Hilda C. Heine attended the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Leaders event at the United Nations, where she emphasized the critical need for collective action in addressing the climate crisis. In her remarks, she congratulated Prime Minister Mia Mottley on her leadership and welcomed the adoption of a pivotal Declaration that reinforces the CVF’s mission.
President Heine underscored the importance of climate finance and called for reforms to the international financial system to better meet the needs of vulnerable nations. “We must drive forward real, concrete change,” she asserted, highlighting the necessity of strong outcomes that deliver the trillions needed. President Heine focused on urgent need to scale up funds for adaptation and loss and damage, while also emphasizing that climate finance must be directed toward genuine climate solutions rather than fossil fuel projects.
Additionally, President Heine advocated for support within the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for a proposed greenhouse gas levy aimed at decarbonizing the shipping industry. She noted that this levy could generate essential revenue for climate initiatives and called on fellow leaders to unite in this effort. Emphasizing the CVF’s leadership, she expressed hope for strong, 1.5 aligned Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from member countries ahead of the February 2025 deadline.
