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The Binational Forum on Climate Justice demanded that the governments of the Dominican Republic and Haiti define an island strategy to address the impacts of climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss based on respect for sovereignty, solidarity, and care for our common home, the island.
This pronouncement was made within the framework of the development of the Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP30), which is being held in Belém, Brazil
On behalf of the organizations grouped in the aforementioned Forum, Darío Solano, from RedAfros, proposed the creation of a permanent binational forum for dialogue and action against climate change.
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Within the organizations that are part of the aforementioned Forum, and that subscribe to that position, are: Haïti Survie, Papda, Centro Montalvo, Isaproma, Jacasa, Mondha and Coanor. The Binational Forum on Climate Justice expresses that the social and environmental movement, both from the Dominican Republic and Haiti, must urge the governments of the insular Caribbean to develop an assistance plan in the face of disasters produced by the extreme effects of climate change. "The regional dimension of the fight against climate change is fundamental. We call on the Caribbean countries and other Latin American allies to join forces and demand firm commitments on losses and damages caused by climate change, as well as debt cancellation," says the document signed by ten organizations. They add that the facts indicate that the Caribbean is the region most vulnerable to climate change, as the most recent hurricane Melissa tragically demonstrated how close the islands of this archipelago are. "It first circled as a storm and then as a category 5 hurricane, and affected the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba, and then continued its path of destruction through the Bahamas and Bermuda." They explain that the organizations that make up the Binational Forum for Climate Justice recognize the seriousness of the climate emergency that threatens life, environmental stability and the sustainable development of our islands, because the impacts of climate change make us more vulnerable every day and warrant real solutions and climate action with a development and human rights approach. "Both countries are among the most vulnerable in the world to the effects of climate change. The increase in the frequency and intensity of hurricanes, prolonged droughts, the loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, accelerated deforestation, coastal erosion, and rising sea levels are the product of extractivist development models that put food security, rural livelihoods, basic infrastructure, and the well-being of millions of people at risk." They say that these pressures are compounded by socioeconomic and migratory crises exacerbated by environmental impacts, which particularly affect border and rural communities. "Since COP30, Haiti and the Dominican Republic reaffirm that climate change recognizes no borders. Only through solidary cooperation, shared management of natural resources, and the integration of sustainable public policies will we be able to safeguard the common future of the island and contribute to climate justice in the Caribbean and the planet," they warn.
