St. Kitts and Nevis Takes Center Stage in Global Drought Talks at UNCCDCOP17

Basseterre, St. Kitts  24 August 2026- The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is making its voice
heard on the world stage, as Dr. Eric Browne, focal point for St. Kitts and Nevis, has warned that
the prolonged dry periods are impacting the livelihoods of people within the Caribbean, while
presenting to the nation at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
 
Gathering under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope,” the two-week event, from 17-28
August, highlights the value of global cooperation in addressing land degradation, a challenge
that affects all of our livelihoods.
 
A key highlight on Day 4 was a side event led by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land
Management (PISLM), in collaboration with Global SIDS and the Blue Green Islands (BGI).
Titled “Building Drought Resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS),” it shared
practical solutions that can directly benefit our community’s resilience to drought.
 
Browne, who presented at this event, explained that the conditions are placing pressure on
schools, households, farmers and freshwater resources. While drought conditions are reducing
available water, some countries have been developing rationing measures that affect daily life at
home and in schools.
“The effects are visible, not only in water, but across the natural environment, where once-lush
green landscapes are increasingly turning brown as rainfall patterns shift,” he said.
The UNCCD focal point also highlighted the increased risk of saltwater intrusion into freshwater
lenses, a serious concern for small island states that rely heavily on limited groundwater and
rainfall-fed systems. As rainfall decreases and demand rises, freshwater reserves can become
more vulnerable to seawater contamination, threatening both water quality and long-term supply.
For a small island nation like St. Kitts and Nevis, these discussions are not just theoretical; they
are vital to our survival. While often associated with arid deserts, desertification refers to the

degradation of land in drylands, and SIDS are increasingly vulnerable to its impacts through
prolonged dry spells, soil erosion, and declining agricultural productivity.
 
With climate change intensifying and summers becoming warmer (we are experiencing one of
our hottest summers).The questions arises. Are we aware? Are we prepared? And what are we
doing? Answers that are reflected in our seven pillars of sustainability and our participation at
these events.
 
Dr Browne’s presence at this forum, listening to partners from the UNDP, the Global
Environment Facility (GEF), and WOCAT, ensures that the unique vulnerabilities of St. Kitts and
Nevis are part of the global conversation. The knowledge gained here regarding moving from
“drought response” to “long-term resilience” is crucial. By integrating these sustainable land
management practices, we can better protect our watersheds, support our local farmers, and build
a more secure and sustainable future for our Federation, ensuring our lands remain productive for
generations to come.

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