Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. Hon. Kedrick Pickering has called on the United Nations to provide technical and other support to small island developing states to assist them with adapting to the negative impacts of Climate Change, regardless of political status.

The Deputy Premier made the call in Paris at a high-level panel at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP21)  themed 'Islands at the frontline: from impacts to solutions.'

Honourable Pickering said, "Climate Change does not discriminate against one island or the other based on political status. The rise in CO2 emissions has placed small island developing states at risk. Our way of life is under threat and we deserve the international community's support to help us to adapt to the challenges posed by global warming."

Dr. Pickering was joined on the panel by the French Overseas Minister Ms. George Pau-Langevin, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Director General Ms. Inger Andersen, Director of the South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme Mr. David Sheppard, Member of the French Parliament for French Polynesia Ms. Maina Sage, and Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission H.E. Jean Claude de L'Estrac.

The panel was organised by the non-governmental organisation IUCN and the French Government.

The Deputy Premier later participated in a second high-level panel on the same theme alongside Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Hon. Henry Puna, Seychelles Ambassador to the United Nations His Excellency Ronny Jumeau and other officials.

He also made official remarks on the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund presented at the Wider Caribbean Pavilion.

Honourable Pickering is in Paris attending the UNFCCC COP 21 where world leaders are negotiating a global climate change agreement aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.  He is joined by Director of the BVI London Office Mr. Benito Wheatley.