Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Antigua and Barbuda must be given a stronger voice in global climate discussions, according to Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs Michael Joseph.
Speaking in an interview following the Berlin Climate Mobility Forum 2026, Joseph highlighted the disproportionate impact climate change is having on Caribbean nations despite their minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
He said Caribbean countries remain underrepresented in international conversations on climate mobility and adaptation, even though they are among the regions most vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels, extreme weather events and displacement caused by climate change.
“Caribbean voices are diminished even more,” Joseph said, arguing that the region should play a greater role in shaping policies that will affect its future.
The minister noted that Caribbean nations face the annual threat of hurricanes, with many countries enduring a six-month hurricane season. He said the region’s vulnerability makes it essential for Caribbean leaders to have a seat at the table when decisions are being made about climate financing and resilience measures.
“For many of us, it is not a matter of if, but who is going to be impacted,” he said.
Joseph pointed to the severe economic consequences hurricanes can have on small island economies, citing examples from across the region, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, where single storms have caused extensive damage and setbacks to development.
He renewed calls for greater international recognition of the challenges facing SIDS and urged wider use of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) when determining access to grants, loans and other forms of climate-related funding.
According to Joseph, traditional measures used by international financial institutions often fail to capture the true vulnerabilities of small island states, leaving many countries at a disadvantage when seeking support.
The minister also stressed that Caribbean nations continue to suffer some of the worst impacts of climate change despite contributing only a negligible share of global emissions.
He called for increased funding, stronger representation in global decision-making processes and greater support to help preserve the livelihoods, cultures and way of life of Caribbean people in the face of a changing climate.
The Berlin Climate Mobility Forum brings together policymakers, researchers and international organisations to discuss the growing challenges of climate-induced displacement and migration around the world.