AMERY BROWNE, Minister for Foreign and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, stressed that every country was entitled to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health.  In that regard, he highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s uphill battle to source from the marketplace COVID-19 vaccines, as a country with a relatively small size and low demand.

Calling upon the developed countries to fulfil their pledge of contributing $100 billion annually to support developing countries, he said Trinidad and Tobago was committed to its nationally determined contribution to reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions by 30 per cent in the public transportation sector and to cumulatively decreasing emissions by 15 per cent in the other main sectors by 2030.  Consequently, these commitments would help cut over 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.  Stressing the need to reassess the eligibility of small island development States for concessional finance beyond income measures, he applauded the efforts in the development of a multidimensional vulnerability index.

Highlighting the anti–terrorism act of Trinidad and Tobago, which has a robust legal architecture, he also noted that his country has recently enacted amendments to existing legislation on domestic violence, sexual offences and child protection, as well as on electronic monitoring of sex offenders.  He further noted his country’s commitments to enhancing children and youth development, and women’s participation.  However, he voiced concern regarding the lack of meaningful progress on Security Council reform, the unjust designation of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism, economic sanctions and the longstanding Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.