you can get more on those stories on the bbc news website. all have a full bulletin of news for you at the top of the hour, but right now, the travel show. this is just incredible. the caribbean — a collection of 7,000 islands set in shimmering seas with some of the best beaches and marine life in the world. it's home to over 45 million people and a mix of cultures, music and natural wonders. but this oceanic environment is as fragile as it is beautiful and the caribbean�*s relationship with its seas and ecosystems are changing rapidly. i'm reece parkinson. as someone who has caribbean ancestry, this place has almost mythical status, even though i've never been here before. we're swimming with sharks! i'm kicking off my adventure in the dominican republic... oh, i'm excited! ..where i discover how islanders are carving out a new relationship with the sea. really, what i want is for the community to get in touch with the ocean because that's the only way we're going to take care of the ocean. and... esperate, capi! shouting. ..i come face—to—face with one of the giants of this unique marine environment. there's a whale? yeah. 0h, whoa! i'm starting myjourney on the island of hispaniola, shared by haiti and the dominican republic. this is my first time ever in the caribbean. i'm in the dominican republic, in the capital city santo domingo, and it actually feels quite european. in fact, this is the oldest cathedral in all of the americas, and it was built nearly 500 years ago. the cathedral of santa maria la menor — and much of the architecture here — is the legacy of the spanish, who arrived here by sea in the late 15th century, spearheaded by christopher columbus on his maiden voyage to the region. spain became the first european colonisers in the americas, whilst also decimating the indigenous taino population. centuries later, the spanish legacy is still very strong. and when it comes to music, on this island, you won't hear much reggae. instead, it's the more latin feel of merengue and bachata. hey, reece! i'm meeting the country's king of bachata, martires de leon. so, bachata actually originates from the dominican republic? plays melancholic tune. plays fast arpeggios. # bailalo, bailalo, reece. # bailalo, gozalo, reece. as well as its spanish roots, it's thought that bachata is fused from influences from the enslaved africans who were brought here and the indigenous taino people who were displaced during colonisation. # bailalo, reece. # bailalo, bailalo, reece. its infectious melodies soon attract passersby. # bailalo, bailalo, en bachata. # bailalo, bailalo, esta bachata. # bailalo y gozala, esta bachata! # mira montilla, como esta? # y reece! yeah, ithink, especially back home in the uk, whenever you think of the caribbean, it's barbados, jamaica, saint kitts. # con la bachata. applause. wow! even myself, i'm mixed race — jamaican father, british mother — and coming here has opened my eyes up to the spanish culture and the latin influences. but what draws most people to the caribbean are the incredible beaches and extraordinary marine life. the dominican republic boasts over i,000km of coastline, attracting some 10 million visitors in 2023 — that's more than any other caribbean destination. i'm heading north to cabarete, a seaside town that's become world —famous. i'm told, a few decades ago, cabarete wasjust a small fishing village. but in recent years, it has completely transformed, and that's because this part of the coastline is in the right spot to capture the strong currents from the north in the winter and the constant trade winds from the east. this creates the perfect wave and now attracts surfers from across the world. you can find every type of water sport here — from windsurfing to paddleboarding. and, right now, cabarete is hosting its annual global event — master of the ocean — and i'm meeting the current champion, brian talma. brian! it's the action man. de action man! how you doing, man? yes, brother. respect, respect. 0h, dude, respect. so, you're going for back—to—back titles this year? well, i'm going to try, you know? this event is amazing because we do all the sports and all the sports i love — windsurf, kitesurf, foil and everything. originally from barbados, brian arrived here in the �*80s, becoming one of the pioneers of water sports. back then, there were literally only a handful of people taking part. this is essentially, like, your life. this is what you do every day. from when i was like eight, nine, that's all i did — surf in barbados. i surfed every day. and then it went from surfing to the other sports. but the thing about it, it's pretty easy and the sensation is amazing. and, the good thing is, i'm going to get you part of the action. pre—warning — i've never surfed in my life, so this is — this is going to be pretty bad, i'm just telling you now. you know what it's like? it's just like getting up, waking up, standing up. look where you're going and go for it. all right, come on, then. let's go, action. now, what you're going to do is once you're up, you're going to bend the knees. make sense? yeah. it's always interesting when you try something new for the first time. definitely one of those moments when you are outside your comfort zone. it's a lot more tiring than i thought it was going to be. after the first like three, suddenly you get crashed into the water and then you're like... exhales sharply. .."here we go again." and then, you get back up. brian's like, "come back, reece! "come back!" and you're like... exhales sharply. "0k!" i couldn't have asked for a better teacher. i am a surfer. i'm a surfer! you got up, you rode a few waves — success! action! brother, thank you, dude. action! whilst adrenaline—fuelled water sports are a key part of the championships, there's a wider aim — to engage the local community. drumming. caribbean culture, for those that live in the region, hasn't always been based around beach time — most leisure activities are targeted towards visitors. as tourists, we come over and we're like, "of course, we're going to try and surf. "of course, we're going to swim." you know, that's different. that's not the case for a lot of the locals. para poder asistir a cualquier persona en la playa. but organisers want to change that by launching initiatives that teach dominicans water skills. i'm meeting the team coordinating the event — patricia hiraldo and marcus bohm. so has the event brought more of the community into water sports? definitely. i think the event really awakens the mind of the children and the youth because, of course, they're looking this is bbc news. let's take it straight to switzerland where were hearing closing remarks from the ukraine peace summit. let’s hearing closing remarks from the ukraine peace summit. let's have a listen in. ukraine peace summit. let's have a listen in- we _ ukraine peace summit. let's have a listen in. we have _ ukraine peace summit. let's have a listen in. we have approved - ukraine peace summit. let's have a listen in. we have approved and - ukraine peace summit. let's have a| listen in. we have approved and the purpose of discovering, it's really important. chile, my country, small nation in the south of the world with a population of 20 million inhabitants understands that only adherence to international law and the protection of human rights can detect peace. this summit and this convictions are not about nato. this is not about right or left political ideas. this is not about northern or southern countries. this is about respect of international law and human rights as foundational principles. and this is applicable to ukraine, in gaza and in every other conflict in the world. children everywhere have to be protected. we cannot allow that any country abducts or kidnaps children, as russia's doing with ukraine. civilians must not be damaged. we need urgent action to protect the rights, because they cannot win. with respect of territorial integrity of ukraine. international law and the firm commitment to human rights as a fundamental standard, from chile, there will keep on supporting this process of supporting this process of supporting peace. supporting this process of su--ortin~ eace. , , supporting peace. presents lenski, first of all, thank _ supporting peace. presents lenski, first of all, thank you _ supporting peace. presents lenski, first of all, thank you for _ first of all, thank you for organising this important conference. it is testament to the skills_ conference. it is testament to the skills of— conference. it is testament to the skills of the swiss diplomacy that you are _ skills of the swiss diplomacy that you are able to bring together some 100 countries and international organisations at the highest level, including _ organisations at the highest level, including esteemed presidents and prime _ including esteemed presidents and prime ministers. this high attendance shows one thing, the world _ attendance shows one thing, the world cares deeply about the war provoked — world cares deeply about the war provoked by russia's aggression. the war blatantly violates international law and _ war blatantly violates international law and key principles of the un charlen — law and key principles of the un charter. the world cares deeply about _ charter. the world cares deeply about the — charter. the world cares deeply about the war provoked by russia's aggression. the walk blatantly violates — aggression. the walk blatantly violates international law and key principles — violates international law and key principles of the un charter. and it has a major— principles of the un charter. and it has a major negative impacts on countries — has a major negative impacts on countries across the globe, be it in future _ countries across the globe, be it in future security, access to energy or international trade. and time again, speakers— international trade. and time again, speakers yesterday and today emphasised this impact on their economies. and so, it is highly significant _ economies. and so, it is highly significant and valuable that so many— significant and valuable that so many parties came to switzerland to discuss _ many parties came to switzerland to discuss a _ many parties came to switzerland to discuss a way out of the war. the conference — discuss a way out of the war. the conference was entitled path to peace, — conference was entitled path to peace, and rightly so. we know that peace _ peace, and rightly so. we know that peace in_ peace, and rightly so. we know that peace in ukraine will not be achieved _ peace in ukraine will not be achieved in one step, it will be a journev — achieved in one step, it will be a journev it— achieved in one step, it will be a journey. it was not a peace negotiation because putin is not serious — negotiation because putin is not serious about ending the war. he is insisting _ serious about ending the war. he is insisting on — serious about ending the war. he is insisting on capitulation, he is insisting — insisting on capitulation, he is insisting on capitulation, he is insisting on ceding ukrainian territories, even territory that today — territories, even territory that today does not, is not occupied by hirn _ today does not, is not occupied by hirn he _ today does not, is not occupied by hirn he is — today does not, is not occupied by him. he is insisting on disarming ukraine— him. he is insisting on disarming ukraine leaving it vulnerable to future — ukraine leaving it vulnerable to future aggression. no country would ever accept— future aggression. no country would ever accept these outrageous terms. that is— ever accept these outrageous terms. that is why— ever accept these outrageous terms. that is why it is vital that ukraine is able _ that is why it is vital that ukraine is able to— that is why it is vital that ukraine is able to resist this aggression. that— is able to resist this aggression. that it _ is able to resist this aggression. that it is — is able to resist this aggression. that it is right under un charter, and it— that it is right under un charter, and it is— that it is right under un charter, and it is the _ that it is right under un charter, and it is the right of other countries such as the european union and many— countries such as the european union and many other partners across the world _ and many other partners across the world to _ and many other partners across the world to support ukraine to resist and survive. the un has already provided — and survive. the un has already provided over 100 billion in support to ukraine — provided over 100 billion in support to ukraine and its people, and the g7 illustrated its steadfast determination only two days ago, when _ determination only two days ago, when we — determination only two days ago, when we agreed to use the revenues of frozen _ when we agreed to use the revenues of frozen russian assets in europe to find _ of frozen russian assets in europe to find a _ of frozen russian assets in europe to find a $50 billion loan to ukraine _ to find a $50 billion loan to ukraine. this is also a clear message _ ukraine. this is also a clear message that we will stand by ukraine — message that we will stand by ukraine for as long as it takes. i was support and this peace summit here brings — was support and this peace summit here brings a real piece closer. diplomacv— here brings a real piece closer. diplomacy is comprehensive for lasting — diplomacy is comprehensive for lasting peace. this will finally bring — lasting peace. this will finally bring an— lasting peace. this will finally bring an end to the oppression and suffering _ bring an end to the oppression and suffering of the ukrainian people. this would reaffirm ukraine's sovereignty. it would survive international law and the un charter _ international law and the un charter. the path to real peace provides — charter. the path to real peace provides determination. ultimately, it will— provides determination. ultimately, it will be _ provides determination. ultimately, it will be for ukraine to determine the conditions of a just peace. the european — the conditions of a just peace. the european union will support you in this, _ european union will support you in this, and _ european union will support you in this, and it — european union will support you in this, and it will continue to rally support— this, and it will continue to rally support across the globe. we can build _ support across the globe. we can build on — support across the globe. we can build on the un generally resolution of 2025 _ build on the un generally resolution of 2025 it— build on the un generally resolution of 2023. it clearly expresses the need _ of 2023. it clearly expresses the need for— of 2023. it clearly expresses the need for comprehensive just and lasting _ need for comprehensive just and lasting peace. this resolution was approved — lasting peace. this resolution was approved by 141 countries, the vast majority— approved by 141 countries, the vast majority of— approved by 141 countries, the vast majority of whom joined this summit. i call majority of whom joined this summit. i call on _ majority of whom joined this summit. i call on russia to heed the message of the _ i call on russia to heed the message of the international community, respect — of the international community, respect the territorial integrity and serenity of ukraine, put an end to imperialist violence and bring back— to imperialist violence and bring back the — to imperialist violence and bring back the children. when russia says it is ready— back the children. when russia says it is ready for peace, based on the un charter, — it is ready for peace, based on the un charter, then the time will come from russia — un charter, then the time will come from russia to be part of our efforts — from russia to be part of our efforts to _ from russia to be part of our efforts to bring the path to peace to its _ efforts to bring the path to peace to its destination, and i hope and i work— to its destination, and i hope and i work for— to its destination, and i hope and i work for this— to its destination, and i hope and i work for this day to come soon. thank— work for this day to come soon. thank you _ work for this day to come soon. thank vom— work for this day to come soon. thank ou. ~ , ., ., ., ., thank you. prime minister of canada, ou have thank you. prime minister of canada, you have the — thank you. prime minister of canada, you have the floor. _ while ukrainians have been working to defend _ while ukrainians have been working to defend the — while ukrainians have been working to defend the country, _ while ukrainians have been working to defend the country, they - while ukrainians have been working to defend the country, they have i to defend the country, they have been _ to defend the country, they have been trying — to defend the country, they have been trying to _ to defend the country, they have been trying to bring _ to defend the country, they have been trying to bring an _ to defend the country, they have been trying to bring an end - to defend the country, they have been trying to bring an end to i to defend the country, they havel been trying to bring an end to the fighting — been trying to bring an end to the fighting the _ been trying to bring an end to the fighting. the summit— been trying to bring an end to the fighting. the summit here - been trying to bring an end to the fighting. the summit here in- fighting. the summit here in switzerland _ fighting. the summit here in switzerland gathered - fighting. the summit here in . switzerland gathered countries fighting. the summit here in - switzerland gathered countries from around _ switzerland gathered countries from around the — switzerland gathered countries from around the world _ switzerland gathered countries from around the world including - switzerland gathered countries from around the world including from - around the world including from emerging — around the world including from emerging economies— around the world including from emerging economies with - around the world including from emerging economies with a - around the world including from | emerging economies with a goal around the world including from i emerging economies with a goal of finding _ emerging economies with a goal of finding a _ emerging economies with a goal of finding a path— emerging economies with a goal of finding a path to— emerging economies with a goal of finding a path to peace. _ emerging economies with a goal of finding a path to peace. canada - emerging economies with a goal of| finding a path to peace. canada will always _ finding a path to peace. canada will always be _ finding a path to peace. canada will always be a — finding a path to peace. canada will always be a strong _ finding a path to peace. canada will always be a strong voice _ finding a path to peace. canada will always be a strong voice for- finding a path to peace. canada will always be a strong voice for peace, | always be a strong voice for peace, democracy— always be a strong voice for peace, democracy freedom _ always be a strong voice for peace, democracy freedom and _ always be a strong voice for peace, . democracy freedom and international rule of— democracy freedom and international rule of law _ democracy freedom and international rule of law i— democracy freedom and international rule of law. i will— democracy freedom and international rule of law. i will work _ democracy freedom and international rule of law. i will work together- rule of law. i will work together during — rule of law. i will work together during the _ ru