In a significant step towards prioritising the voices of children and youth in the climate agenda, Hon. Kerryne James, Grenada’s Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy, signed the Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth, and Climate Action.
The signing occurred during a meeting with Pieter Bult, UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean Area, in front of the Wall of Commitments created at the recent Children and Youth Action Summit, which was held in Antigua, 24–26 May 2024.
The declaration represents a commitment to accelerating inclusive, child, and youth-centred climate policies and actions at both national and global levels. It underlines the urgent need to integrate youth perspectives and solutions into climate policies and processes.
As a key custodian of the declaration, UNICEF is collaborating closely with the Ministry to provide technical support and to facilitate the implementation process. This includes ensuring that climate policies, such as the National Adaptation Plan, are sensitive to the needs of children.
Initiatives with relevant ministries and departments are underway to effectively execute the terms of the memorandum of understanding (MOU).
Grenada joins St Lucia as the only countries in the Eastern Caribbean that have adopted the declaration, demonstrating regional leadership in integrating youth into climate resilience strategies.
This undertaking highlights Grenada’s commitment to inclusive climate action and underscores the importance of integrating youth perspectives into climate resilience efforts.
Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy
