BY SHEENA FORDE-CRAIGG | JAN 18, 2023
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds and Germany’s Ambassador to Barbados, Ute König, pose for a photograph following their courtesy call at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, today. (S. Forde-Craigg/BGIS)
Climate change and security matters were the main issues discussed today during talks between Barbados and Germany.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ute König, speaking at a courtesy call at the Ministry’s Culloden Road, St. Michael office, agreed that all countries must take the threats of climate change seriously and come together to cooperate on addressing the related issues and impacts.
Minister Symmonds noted that Barbados would continue to advocate for small island developing states and appreciated any assistance offered towards adaptation and mitigation measures.
Ambassador König said Germany would be hosting Petersberg Climate Dialogue this year, a prelude on climate matters leading up to COP 28 in the United Arab Emirates.
Other areas discussed include the BioNTech Vaccination Project, The Bridgetown Initiative, renewable energy, life sciences, electric vehicles, tourism, an air services agreement, and scholarships.
Also present at the meeting were Permanent Secretary (Ag), Joy-Ann Skinner; Senior Foreign Service Officer, Head of Europe, Africa and Asia Division, Trecia King; Foreign Service Officer, Darren Carter, and Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, Counsellor, Governance, Security and Human Development, Dr. Florian Luetticken.
Barbados and Germany established diplomatic relations on March 14, 1967.
