Mottley: World must work together 

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley says that the COVID-19 pandemic and climate crisis are stark reminders of the interconnected and interdependent world in which we reside, and she is highlighting the importance of the world working together to overcome our challenges.
She made the comments at the start of the Global Commodities Forum on Monday, organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as a pre-event of the 15th UNCTAD quadrennial Conference (UNCTAD15), which was to be held here in Barbados, but will take place online, hosted by the Government of Barbados, from October 3-7, 2021.
“Our fates are now so intertwined that whether you are a major superpower, or a small island developing state such as my own country, there is no room for insular thinking. It is clear that no nation alone can win the battle against the challenges that face us, including this pandemic, or the climate crisis, and that the smallest of nations have a role to play and we can make that difference,” she said.
Mottley added, “We must focus on building robust partnerships based on understanding and the need for mutual respect, regardless of size, regardless of economic power, with a clear goal to do what is best for our global community. It is therefore appropriate that the theme for UNCTAD15 is ‘From Inequality and Vulnerability to Prosperity for All’.”
Turning her attention to the three-day Global Commodities Forum, which will address issues of food security, water, and the transition to sustainable renewable energy, PM Mottley said that it is a fitting start to the upcoming UNCTAD15. Her comments came as she spoke of the importance of strengthening resilience in commodity dependent countries.
“Being commodity dependent has many facets, from the provision of affordable, nutritious food and clean water, to access to affordable energy for homes and businesses. Small states are particularly vulnerable to the vagaries of international trade, susceptible to sudden increases in commodity prices, dependent on reliable daily arrival of ships and aircraft to meet the needs of our citizens, and exposed when there are supply shortages. The present COVID situation is no exception, with many developing countries facing shortages of vaccines, while others are holding supplies in excess of their needs,” she lamented.
The Prime Minister went on to say that though Barbados is small, this country is doing its part, as she maintained that a successful and productive agricultural sector is important not only to national food security, but to the economic and social development of the island.
“Energy security is also a crucial element of our strategy. For over 40 years, we've exploited the boundless energy from the sun for solar hot water heaters installed on our roofs across many homes, across many businesses. We have now set a goal for 100 percent of our electricity to be supplied by renewable energy by 2030. We've already made significant strides towards this goal, and at the same time, we have begun the journey to transform our transport sector by facilitating the growth in electric vehicles. These initiatives will move us away from the dependence on fossil fuel and will help us combat the climate crisis. This matters to us as small island states are among the most vulnerable to climate change, with Barbados and our Caribbean neighbours experiencing the ravages of more frequent and severe hurricanes,” she added.
PM Mottley went further contending that every country must punch above its weight to address the urgent challenges and to correct the inequalities that exist, to ensure a better future for people across the world.
“This is not a time for division, but a time for solidarity for finding common ground. My sincere hope is that the things that unite us, that bring us closer together will shape the outcomes of this Forum, and that the statements and declarations you produce will be a rallying cry of action by the representatives of the member states at the Ministerial Conference. It is our time to make that difference,” she maintained.