The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, even greater, the need for global leadership, particularly for the benefit of small island states. It’s the bold assertion made by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, as she calls for world leaders to adopt a spirit of morality in the global response to the virus.

Appearing in an 11-minute interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Wednesday,  PM Mottley, who also chairs CARICOM, said any global resolution must duly consider the plight of vulnerable nations. “We (the Caribbean) are a highly indebted region, largely because we are perhaps the most travel-dependent and trade-dependent region, with almost half of our GDP and jobs coming directly and indirectly from tourism” she said. She added that world leaders must reassess their priorities, aligning it to fit the post COVID-19 reality. “Does it make sense to continue to build large military constructs when, as a result of a mosquito or a pandemic, our populations can be put at risk?” she asked.

With the virus introducing new threats to the region, particularly in the areas of public health, security, and migration, the Barbados leader contends that access to funding and debt restructuring are conversations that must find their way on the table. “We need to ensure that the Caribbean does not remain invisible and dispensable, nor the South Pacific. And if our voices have to be spoken over and over to make this point then we will not tire to do so” she ended.