Roseau, August 17 (RHC)-- The President of CARICOM (the Community of Caribbean States) Roosevelt Skerrit denounced the lack of funds promised by rich countries to help small island states in the fight against climate change.

According to the developed nations, this year they are on track to meet their overdue climate finance commitment to developing countries, three years later than promised.   But Skerrit is not sure they will keep their word.

During a press conference offered in Roseau, the capital of Dominica, the CARICOM president said that at COP summits there are always new proposals on the table, but none of them reflect the fulfillment of the rich countries' commitments.

When they made the agreements, it was with the understanding that cooperation would be in grants; but now they talk about financing and loans from the private sector, said Skerrit.  He also urged intense action on climate change and said the developed world must understand that small islands are not looking for sympathy.

"We want no pity from anyone.  An injustice was inflicted on us, because climate change is a result of the industrialized world affecting us.  This is about compensation."