UWI leading Climate Diplomacy Training

In a year marked by mounting climate urgency, the UWI Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean (DAOC) emerged as a beacon of regional leadership. In May 2025, the Academy convened a five-day online training, “Caribbean Small States and the Diplomacies of Climate Change,” uniting professionals from The Bahamas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the UK. With COP 30 on the horizon, DAOC’s mission was clear: empower junior and mid- career officials from climate-vulnerable states with the negotiation skills and insights vital for the global climate stage.

Guided by climate law expert Ms Rueanna Haynes, participants dove deep into the evolution of UN climate negotiations, culminating in a high-stakes simulation that tested their newly honed skills. Insights from UWI’s Professor David S. Berry and Belize’s Ambassador Carlos Fuller enriched the experience, fostering spirited dialogue and peer learning. Graduates left energised and equipped, ready to amplify CARICOM’s voice as a persistent champion for ambitious climate action.

As DAOC Manager Dr Nand Bardouille affirmed, the Academy’s work is helping to shape a new generation of Caribbean climate diplomats, prepared to tackle the escalating impacts of climate change with expertise and resolve.