HONOUR OBLIGATIONS

BARBADOS’ Minister of Environment and Drainage, Dr. Denis Lowe, is urging the international community to honour its long-standing commitments to Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Referring to the 1994 Global Conference on SIDS, he said that support had been requested at that time “for international co-operation and partnerships under these various facilities to address the related vulnerabilities and to honour their obligations made thereunder”.

From left to right: Senior Environmental Specialist of the GEF,
Astrid Hillers; Barbados’ Minister of Environment and Drainage,
Dr. Denis Lowe; and head of UNDP Water and Ocean Governance
Programme, Andrew Hudson, listen attentively to a presentation
by Project Manager UNEP/SEASTART IWLEARN, Khristine Custodio.

“Though appreciable gains have been made, 20 years hence, the call for such support still remains,” he added.

Making the feature address at the Seventh Global Environment Facility (GEF) Biennial International Waters Conference, Lowe said that the establishment was “uniquely placed to assist SIDS in bridging the gap between environmental and socio-economic vulnerability on one hand and environmental stewardship responsibility on the other”.

Saying he was aware that negotiations were ongoing for the sixth replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund, the minister nevertheless expressed hopes that the financial commitments ultimately agreed upon will exceed or at least match those pledged for the 2010-2014 GEF-5 programming phase, in spite of the global economic climate.

“With Global Biodiversity assets continuing to decline and the imposed challenges associated with climate change increasing intensity and frequency of occurrence, support to the GEF to exercise its mandate requires no less favourable a consideration. Noting the area of specific focus at this conference and reiterating the importance of coastal and marine resources to the sustainable development of SIDS territories, it is additionally hoped that significant improvement in the allocation to the International Waters Portfolio is realised,” the minister remarked.

The four-day event, which began on Monday, was held at the Hilton Barbados. (JMB)