Debt-for-climate swaps in the Caribbean

In the face of multiple global crises, debt-for-climate swaps are being widely discussed as an instrument to manage mounting public debts, climate change challenges and Covid-19 recovery. Belize is a small island developing state in the Caribbean region facing these challenges. The Government of Belize has requested the Commonwealth Secretariat to provide assistance to design and implement a ‘Debt for Climate/Nature Swap Mechanism’ for the country.

This webinar aims to enhance awareness and support capacity-building of stakeholders in the Government of Belize and the wider Caribbean region, focusing on the potential of debt-for-climate swaps as an option for managing rising debt levels while investing on climate action.

Chapter 1 - Copy

Speakers

Dr Arjoon Suddhoo, Deputy Secretary-General, Commonwealth Secretariat (keynote speaker)
Hon. Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management, Belize
Hon. Christopher Coye, State Minister of Finance, Economic Development & Investment, Belize
Patrick Payet, Secretary of State, Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Trade, Seychelles
Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director - EYSD, Commonwealth Secretariat
Dr. Lennox Gladden, Chief Climate Change Officer, National Climate Change Office, Belize
Michai Robertson, Policy Officer, Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, Antigua & Barbuda
Edilberto Romero, Executive Director, Programme for Belize
Unnikrishnan Nair, Head of Climate Change, Commonwealth Secretariat
Pamella McLaren, Adviser and Head of the Debt Management Section, Commonwealth Secretariat
Robert Weary, Chief Executive Officer, Aqua Blue Investments
Sheldon McLean, Economist, Sub-regional Headquarters for the Caribbean, UNECLAC
Andrey Chicherin, Head of Innovation, Technology and Co-funding Platforms, Green Climate Fund
Vintura Silva, Head of UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre for the Caribbean