Climate Change is very much on my mind at the moment, as extreme weather events continue to cause disruption, deaths and displacement across the world.
 
Earlier this month, we held productive discussions with the Presidency of COP 29, which will focus on finance and the needs of small and vulnerable states.
 
As I wrote in a recent op-ed: "We will continue to advocate for increased funding for adaptation, mitigation, and resilience-building. Our commitment to climate change is not new; it is part of the Commonwealth’s DNA."
 
The unique needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will undoubtedly be discussed during the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Grenada next week, where I am privileged to be invited to share my thoughts. I am so grateful to my Caribbean brothers and sisters for their continued partnership.
 
Lastly, the situation in Kenya remains concerning. We will continue to closely monitor events there and encourage all stakeholders to work towards reconciliation and peace, as we are also doing in Gabon, where I visited recently.

Until next time,
 

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC
 Commonwealth Secretary-General