Clarke calls for global response to climate instability, transnational crime

WESTERN BUREAU:

Deputy House Speaker Heroy Clarke has cited climate instability and transnational crime as existential threats to the Caribbean requiring an urgent global response, noting that these are the most pressing issues affecting regional stability.

“The Caribbean is on the front lines of this [climate] crisis, with our islands bearing the brunt of rising sea levels, intensifying hurricanes, and unpredictable weather patterns. We demand urgent global action to address this injustice,” stated Clarke as he addressed the just-concluded Caribbean Parliamentary Assembly and the Caribbean-EU Parliamentary Assembly in Antigua.

According to him, the Caribbean’s economic resilience is constantly being tested by external shocks, ranging from global market fluctuations to natural disasters. Against that background, he says the assembly is calling for the diversification of the region’s economies, investing in sustainable development, and having secure climate financing.

“For the Caribbean, climate change is not a future risk. It is a present reality. Our region faces intensifying hurricanes, coastal erosion, droughts and flooding, threats to food security, tourism, and infrastructure,” said Clarke, who is co-president of the assembly.

“We welcome the assembly’s focus on climate resilience, renewable energy transition, and, critically, the sargassum phenomenon, which has imposed severe economic and environmental costs on Caribbean states through no fault of our own.

“The Caribbean’s message is clear: Adaptation financing must be accessible, rapid, and grant-based climate vulnerability must carry equal weight to income classification, Global climate responsibility must translate into concrete solidarity,” he said.

CORNERSTONE

Clarke noted that the EU-Caribbean Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) remains a cornerstone of the economic relationship for the Caribbean, noting that it enables exports in rum, agro-processing, and manufacturing, as well as growth in services, including creative industries and professional services.

“Yet challenges remain, particularly non-tariff barriers and uneven capacity,” he said. “We view the EU Global Gateway Initiative as a major opportunity to invest in ports, logistics, energy, and digital infrastructure, strengthening regional value chains, support MSMEs and youth entrepreneurship. This assembly must help ensure that trade policy supports inclusive growth, not asymmetry,” he said.

In speaking to the issue of transnational organised crime, he said there is urgent need to promote and embrace shared regional security.

“Insecurity anywhere threatens stability everywhere. The Caribbean continues to face illicit firearms trafficking, narcotics transshipment, cybercrime, and financial crime. These threats are transnational in origin and impact,” said Clarke. “The Caribbean’s position is firm. Security cooperation must be grounded in shared responsibility. Source, transit, and destination countries must act together. Prevention, justice reform, and intelligence-sharing must be prioritised. This assembly provides a vital platform to align security policy with democratic oversight and human rights.”

As it relates to territorial integrity and multilateralism, Clarke said the Caribbean has long been a principled advocate for international law, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“In a time of growing geopolitical fragmentation, the Caribbean and the EU must stand together in defence of a rules-based international order. Multilateralism is not optional. It is essential.

“No discussion of Caribbean stability is complete without addressing Haiti. The crisis in Haiti is not only a Haitian concern but also a regional and moral imperative. The Caribbean supports CARICOM-led solutions, international engagement that respects Haitian sovereignty, a comprehensive approach combining security, humanitarian relief, political transition, and institutional rebuilding,” he said.

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com