NEW GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO ASSIST DOMINICA IN ACHIEVING ITS CLIMATE RESILIENCE GOAL

The new German Ambassador has pledged to assist Dominica in achieving its climate resilience goals.

This as Her Excellency Ute Konig presented her credentials on Friday, May 26 2023 to President of Dominica His Excellency Charles Savarin at a small ceremony at the State House.

Since formalizing diplomatic relations, Dominica and the Federal Republic of Germany have continued to nurture warm and fruitful relations.

President Savarin says Dominica welcomes Germany’s assistance in building resilience to natural disasters.

 “As Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Dominica and the rest of the Caribbean are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters due to climate change phenomena and hence we gladly welcome the focus of Germany in assisting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in developing their resilience to climate change and natural disasters. The devastating effects of Tropical Storm Erika on Dominica in 2015 and of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on several islands in the Caribbean region in 2017, is a most graphic illustration of the increased vulnerability of our Caribbean region. Hurricane Maria is the greatest disaster ever to have befallen our country. As you rightly mentioned, the estimated loss was in the region of 226% of GDP. Thanks to the tremendous support received from regional Governments and the international community, we were able to undertake the process of recovery and reconstruction in a very short space of time, though under very trying and difficult circumstances. We were able to use this achievement as a foundation to move forward and become a model for Small Island Developing States (SIDS),” President Savarin stated.

President Savarin also highlighted Germany’s commitment to cooperate with CARICOM on the development of renewable energy. He says this falls in with Government’s thrust towards geothermal energy.

 “Your Excellency, I also note in particular, Germany’s commitment to cooperate with CARICOM in the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency as part of our response to climate change. Perhaps one of the most difficult challenges impacting negatively on our economic development is the high cost of electricity. To overcome this challenge, the Government has placed its focus on transitioning to renewable energy and is committed to making Dominica the first country to become 100% renewable energy reliant for the generation of electricity, by harnessing our considerable geothermic potential. To date, we have made great progress towards achieving this transformative goal,” His Excellency Savarin added.

Meanwhile, New Ambassador of Germany to Dominica, Her Excellency Ute Konig says Germany is committed to assisting Dominica in achieving its climate resilience goals.

“Constructing a more resilient infrastructure, international debt relief and financial assistance are vital for Dominica’s reconstruction as a victim of climate effect to which your country contributed little to nothing.  As a Small Island Developing State, Dominica has also been disproportionately affected by the covid-19 pandemic both economically and socially. Working to deepen our bilateral relations and the relations between the European Union and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States as well as CARICOM is a privilege for me. In the European Union, Germany fully supports the economic partnership agreement with CARIFORUM as well as the post Cotonou Agreement with the ACP countries,” Ambassador Konig stated.

Dominica and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1980.