Addressing the National Defence University in Washington, DC, President Dr. Irfaan Ali emphasized the imperative of factoring in climate change effects in the development of modern defence strategies, particularly in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
During his presentation, President Ali underscored the significant impact of climate change on global defence systems, which safeguard against natural disasters, adversaries, and national assets. He highlighted how these changes affect economies, citizens, and rapidly evolving infrastructures.
The President further advocated for the prioritization of food and energy security alongside climate security in the formulation of defence strategies. He asserted that integrating such considerations into defence planning will play a pivotal role in bridging current economic gaps.
Additionally, President Ali called for a regional dialogue to adopt a comprehensive and collective approach to safeguarding assets against various forms of crime. He stressed the necessity for investments in future defence strategy and policy development research to enhance the region’s cyber and digital security, including the utilization of artificial intelligence tools.
President Ali was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd, Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, and Army Chief Omar Khan, among others.
Trichell Sobers for NCN News.