United Nations Radio

Caribbean News Round-Up: a weekly 15-minute news magazine on developments at the United Nations concerning the Caribbean.

Star Island aerial shot

The release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere is blamed for global warming which in turn has led to climate change. It's a result of this, scientists say, that our environment is threatened by melting ice; tropical storms which have become stronger and more violent, severe water shortages in River Basins, ecological insecurity and an infrastructure under stress. So, what can we do about it?
David Sklar is President and lead designer of STAR Island in The Bahamas. With his experience in resort, residential and commercial design and construction, Mr. Sklar says both design and construction are responsible for 70 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. He says as a result, infrastructure is being pushed beyond acceptable limits.

The many development challenges facing Haiti

map of Haiti

The social impact of the global crises, including the economic meltdown and the food crisis, are being discussed over the next week as the Commission on Social Development continues its two-week session here at UN headquarters in New York.
The commission will consider new ways to further advance social integration, the goal of building an equitable and dynamic society, where all individuals can fully exercise their rights and responsibilities. It will also review implementation of various United Nations action plans for social groups, including disabled persons, youth, older persons and families.
Among the delegates is Nicole Romulus, the Counsellor at the Haitian mission to the United Nations. Our Andrew Byrd caught up with her and first asked what are some of the development issues Haiti is struggling with today.

The Group of 77 and China says the phenomenon of globalization continues to dominate the world economy

G77 logo

The phenomenon of globalization continues to dominate the world economy.
That's what Prime-minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda told the 32nd annual meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 developing countries and China.
Prime minister Spencer said developing countries are confronted with multiple inter-related and mutually reinforcing crises, including a global food crisis, an environmental crisis, a financial crisis, driven significantly by a severely unbalanced international economic system as well as a crisis of confidence in international institutions which failed in providing policy advice and coordination on global issues.

Producer: Donn Bobb