Dear Colleague CARICOM Permanent Missions
Please see the attached URGENT Diplomatic Note and draft Declaration from Ambassador Sanders, regarding the Advisory Opinion issued today by the International Court of Justice. The Opinion declares unequivocally that all nations “have a duty to prevent environmental harm” by limiting greenhouse‑gas emissions. The Court affirmed that existing treaties—from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to the Paris Agreement—require science‑based mitigation targets, robust environmental impact assessments, adaptation measures, and financial and technological cooperation with vulnerable countries. Crucially, it recognized a stable climate as foundational to human rights and held that failure to comply constitutes an “internationally wrongful act,” triggering duties of cessation, guarantees of non‑repetition, and reparations for harm.
The Permanent Mission is seeking the support of all CARICOM Countries for the draft Declaration which it wishes to submit to the Chair of the Permanent Council by 5pm on Friday 25 July to take advantage of the currency of the moment.
We ask that CARICOM States respond as soon as possible. This Mission is available for a discussion on all aspects of the draft resolution and welcomes the inputs of each of you.
Kind regards
Gillian JosephCounsellorEmbassy of Antigua and BarbudaPermanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the OAS