Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Godwin Friday has held high-level discussions with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) aimed at expanding St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ access to climate financing and advancing key national development projects.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Caribbean Development Bank’s 56th Annual Meeting in Nassau, Bahamas, where Dr. Friday met with Kristin Lang, Director of the Green Climate Fund’s Department for Latin America and the Caribbean.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the GCF while identifying opportunities to support climate resilience, sustainable development and economic growth.
A major area of focus was the Government’s proposed water security initiative, which is currently being prepared for submission to the Green Climate Fund. The project is expected to address long-standing water-related vulnerabilities while supporting the country’s long-term development goals.
Dr. Friday also outlined several priority sectors that the Government believes are critical to national development, including agriculture, sustainable tourism, water security and the Blue Economy.
Officials said the discussions examined ways to improve access to climate financing through stronger project preparation, enhanced technical support and closer coordination with accredited regional institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).
The Green Climate Fund also highlighted opportunities available through its Readiness Programme, which assists countries in strengthening institutional capacity and preparing future climate-related projects.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Friday also discussed the Government’s plans to re-establish the National Development Bank during the second half of 2026. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve access to financing, support entrepreneurship and encourage productive investment throughout the economy.
The Prime Minister welcomed the Green Climate Fund’s continued partnership with St. Vincent and the Grenadines and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to pursuing development opportunities that deliver tangible benefits for citizens.
“Climate resilience is not separate from development; it is development,” Dr. Friday said. “Every investment we make in water security, agriculture, infrastructure and our people helps to better prepare our country for future challenges and creates opportunities for growth and prosperity.”
He added that the Government’s objective is to ensure climate financing delivers lasting benefits while helping to strengthen resilience and improve quality of life across the country.
The meeting comes as Caribbean nations continue to seek greater access to international climate financing to address the growing impacts of climate change, strengthen infrastructure and support sustainable economic development.