Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne Testifies at ITLOS on Climate Change Responsibilities: A Landmark Moment in Global Environmental Advocacy
It is the first time an international judicial body has been called upon to consider the responsibilities of countries when it comes to protecting the world’s waters from climate change. Back in December 2022 the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) received a submission from a group of nine island states, called COSIS, the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law.
They requested the tribunal issue an advisory opinion on the responsibilities of nation states in regards to climate change. In September, ITLOS heard two weeks of public hearings in Hamburg about the request.
The tribunal is due to issues an advisory opinion next year, which is not legally binding, but offers an authoritative statement on legal matters that could guide countries as they craft climate protection law.
The advisory opinion is also significant because it will be the first of three international courts to issue an opinion on climate change and could set precedent. In separate proceedings, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice have also been asked to clarify states positions with respect to climate change.
In this podcast our partners at Asymmetrical Haircuts examine some of the arguments made by COSIS to the tribunal and listen to some of the testimony made throughout the ten day hearing, including from Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne and environmental lawyer and indigenous Tuvaluan, Naima Te Maile Fifita.
They interview the Deputy Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone, Alpha Sesay, who also addressed the tribunal, and stressed the need for equitable solutions to the climate emergency.
In our latest Eco Files episode we are focusing on how climate change is being dealt with by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
Back in December 2022 the Tribunal received a submission from a group of small island states to address climate change. The nine island states, called COSIS, the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law, have requested the tribunal issue an advisory opinion on the responsibilities of nation states in regards to climate change.
In September, ITLOS heard two weeks of public hearings in Hamburg about the request. It is the first time an international judicial body has been called upon to consider the responsibilities of countries when it comes to protecting the world’s waters from climate change.
The tribunal is due to issues an advisory opinion next year, which is not legally binding, but offers an authoritative statement on legal matters that could guide countries as they craft climate protection law.
The advisory opinion is also significant because it will be the first of three international courts to issue an opinion on climate change and could set precedent. In separate proceedings, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice have also been asked to clarify states positions with respect to climate change.
In this episode we examine some of the arguments made by COSIS to the tribunal and listen to some of the testimony made throughout the ten day hearing, including from Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne and environmental lawyer and indigenous Tuvaluan, Naima Te Maile Fifita.
We also interview the Deputy Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone, Alpha Sesay, who also addressed the tribunal, and stressed the need for equitable solutions to the climate emergency.
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This is no Landmark moment it’s a “farcical display of ego” and “a miscarriage of justice” when Gaston Browne goes abroad speaking about climate change and its impact on Small Island States.
Gaston Browne is the architect of environmental destruction in Antigua and Barbuda.
Gaston Browne campaigns abroad hoping for a big payday; claiming that the others should pay for some of the environmental destruction he sponsors and supports in developments on Antigua and Barbuda.
People think about it. Our Prime Minister is working so hard for the PLH airport on Barbuda which the Barbudans have documented as an environmental disaster.
Gaston you get away with a whole lot of stuff (I’m being nice here), in Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean for that matter. The developed nations to whom you look for a big payday will point the fingers back at you; with all the Coastal Developments that are major contributors to removing the barriers to rising sea water.
Volatile organic materials and heavy metals enters Antigua water every day. Gaston turns a blind eye.
This will go down worse the WTO Offshore Betting.
Gaston you excel in deflecting blame, but you own this one. I hope the Finance people are keeping close tabs on the cost of you running around at our cost; for your own aggrandizement.
Well said.
I agree, Thank you
Our Great Leader making history once again. But the haters won’t see that milestone achievement. But we won’t worry about them. Let them talk, cause talk won’t bother us. Let them bark cause the wagon moves on
Gaston Browne talking about climate changes, don’t make me laugh, especially after the recent destruction of Mangroves by a construction/building company.
He didn’t say a word about this when there was an outcry from many concerned Antiguans.
And now he ah run he mout’ …
PLEASE GIVE AUTOCHTHONOUS ANTIGUANS A BREAK!!!
This deranged Prime Minister is worse than worse, I now understand why Sideline and the Gastonites love he so …
… and by the way @ FromTheSideline – you Kowtowing lickspittler -; I don’t hate Browne, because I voted for him when he first came to power.
But like many now enlightened Antiguans, we realise that he’s not fit to lead this wonderful and beautiful country or fit for purpose … COMPRENDE FOOL!!!
@ From The Sideline
There is nothing great about Gaston Brown other than being a corruptive Prime Minister and debasing toxic human, who hates black people. He is great at that.
And yes, many of us are haters. We hate the culture of corruption that he thrives in. We hate the burden placed on poor people. When it comes to Gaston the things, we hate are endless.
“Let them bark cause the wagon moves on”, is a bit worn out. Expand your vocab.
You should be worrying for the people are slowly understanding, there is a better way to live than by handouts and bribery.
@Vernon Southwell
@Brixtonion
Come on guys; you must know the Sideliner is winding you up (pulling your leg to make you angry). This dark art is practised by mischievous posters on their opponents and you are falling for it. I can see the Sideliner having a good chuckle at your expense. You have made his day😍
Milestone achievement @at Sideline? You are deranged like the mad DAWG who’s a$$ you seemed determined to kiss without prejudice.
The man is an abject failure in everything and arguably the biggest hypocrite. If you think the international folks aren’t aware of this, then you are really the epitome of a dunce. Every move he makes, the Alpha Nero, his implications into Oderbretch, that he heads the list in corrupt Caribbean leaders,his employment with Swiss Bank at the time of and money laundering issues; the list is long.
Noone has the time or energy to waste hating Gaston Browne. What we hate is the degradation, secrecy, failures and sell out of Antigua and Barbuda that he comes with. Our country, in spite of record tax revenues, is in the worst condition in its history, and a man who had nothing, boast of millions.
In time, we shall know how.
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