In a significant gesture of gratitude, Dominica announced its intention to bestow the Sisserou Award of Honour, its second-highest national award, upon the United Kingdom and Canada.
This recognition stems from their pivotal roles in assisting the island nation in its pursuit of becoming the world’s first resilient nation.
A journey towards resilience
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit commemorated the occasion during the closure ceremony of the Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD).
He highlighted the monumental journey embarked upon nearly seven years ago, following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Skerrit emphasized the necessity to adopt a ‘build back better’ approach to mitigate future risks.
Acknowledging collective efforts
Skerrit credited the dedicated efforts of CREAD in transforming Dominica into a beacon of climate resilience.
He lauded the international community’s recognition of Dominica’s achievements, showcasing the potential when leaders act decisively to address pressing challenges.
Despite acknowledging the journey’s ongoing nature, Skerrit expressed pride in the impressive strides made in bolstering resilience.
CREAD: Symbol of resilience
The Prime Minister highlighted CREAD’s instrumental role in fostering resilience and innovation. From capacity-building initiatives to policy development, CREAD has played a pivotal role in enhancing disaster mitigation and recovery efforts.
Skerrit emphasized the organization’s undeniable impact, capturing the attention of global entities and underscoring Dominica’s leadership in environmental awareness and climate action.
Continued commitment
As CREAD’s tenure concludes, Skerrit underscored the importance of persisting in the journey towards climate resilience.
While significant progress has been achieved, he stressed the need to consolidate and fortify gains amidst the persistent challenges posed by climate change.
Looking ahead, Skerrit affirmed Dominica’s unwavering commitment to achieving full resilience by 2030, recognizing the imperative of sustained collective action.
