BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The Dominican Republic reiterates its firm commitment to the Paris Agreement and the urgent need for collective action in response to the global climate crisis, said Ana Emilia Pimentel Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Climate Change and Sustainability, as she addressed the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports.
"In the past three years, the Dominican Republic has faced devastating storms, massive flooding, and extreme periods of drought, with serious economic and social consequences," Pimentel Rodríguez stated. She highlighted the direct impacts of climate change on the country, which has seen its crops reduced, communities destabilized, and development opportunities severely limited.
She also drew attention to the challenge posed by sargassum, a type of seaweed, which affects the Dominican Republic’s coastal areas, directly impacting the tourism industry. "Beach pollution from sargassum has resulted in millions of dollars in losses, threatening the stability of a key industry for our economy," she said. The growing costs of collecting sargassum are further straining local resources.
Despite these challenges, Pimentel Rodríguez called for greater international efforts to address the climate crisis. "How can we build resilience when the resources to do so are so elusive?" she asked, pointing to the imbalance in global efforts to limit warming. "The results of the global balance are clear. We are not doing enough to limit global warming."
In her national statement, she also highlighted the Dominican Republic's commitment to environmental protection, including its goal to protect 30% of its marine and terrestrial territories. "We have raised the ambition of our Nationally Determined Contribution and reaffirmed our commitment to protect 30% of our marine and terrestrial territory," she confirmed.
Addressing the issue of climate finance, Pimentel Rodríguez made it clear that the Dominican Republic is not asking for charity but for justice. "We are not asking for charity; we are asking for justice. Justice for our communities, our ecosystems, and our future generations," she said, urging the international community to deliver adequate and accessible financial support for climate action.
"The system is fragmented and too complex for the most vulnerable countries. Without timely financing, we will not be able to face losses and damages or implement adaptation and mitigation solutions," Pimentel Rodríguez warned. She reiterated that global commitments must translate into immediate and tangible actions.