MEDIA RELEASE: PM Kamla meets UN Secretary General

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar held bilateral discussions with His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, on the second day of the 36th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The Secretary-General highlighted the importance of the Green Climate Fund. The financial target of the fund is $100b of which 10% has been achieved thus far. ‎Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar asked the Secretary-General to consider whether some of this fund could be aligned to the Caribbean Energy Fund, the Fund which Trinidad and Tobago is leading is for Caribbean sustainability and cleaner energy.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar also highlighted the Green Economy initiative of the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development.

The Green Economy will focus on improved human well-being and social, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. Mrs. Persad-Bissessar also made mention of Trinidad and Tobago’s thrust to utilise CNG for public sector vehicles.

These strategies are part of the bridge between today’s heavy reliance the energy sector, and tomorrow’s diversified, sustainably developed, robust economy.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar also supported His Excellency’s request for a central location to house all UN offices in Trinidad and Tobago. Not only will this increase efficiency and safety levels, it will also reduce the current accommodation costs undertaken by the government.

In addition, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to reiterate Trinidad and Tobago’s bid to host the Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat and our commitment to the fight against the trafficking of weapons and arms, particularly as it relates to the Caribbean region.

The Secretary-General also made note of the importance of ending violence against women. This is also of significant importance to the Prime Minister as reflected in the mandate and initiatives of the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development.

His Excellency Ban Ki-moon congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on having surpassed several developmental goals and affirmed that Trinidad and Tobago is a regional leader in implementing the United Nations Post 2015 Developmental Agenda.