The International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) through the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWI FIC), recently presented its preliminary findings under the Advancing Conservation in the Eastern Caribbean Programme to the Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, Hon. Michael Joseph, and Mr. Jaabari Reynolds, Biodiversity Focal Point within the Department of Environment.
The UWI FIC delegation comprised Dr. Branson Belle, Executive Director of the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and Blue Economy, and Dr. Christopher Waters.
The programme seeks to strengthen political commitment to environmental conservation by supporting the establishment of bipartisan parliamentary conservation caucuses across countries in the Eastern Caribbean.
To date, Saint Lucia, Grenada, and Suriname have successfully completed the programme and established non-partisan parliamentary conservation caucuses.
Antigua and Barbuda is now poised to join these regional counterparts as the UWI FIC team concludes bilateral consultations with key stakeholders ahead of a national validation workshop scheduled for 22 July at the Department of Environment.
The workshop will be conducted in two sessions to facilitate broad stakeholder participation and promote a Whole of Society approach to environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Welcoming the initiative, Minister Joseph underscored the importance of collaborative action in addressing the growing impacts of climate change.
“The effects of climate change are far-reaching and touch every aspect of our lives. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated Whole of Society approach that brings together government, civil society, the private sector, academia and our communities.
Initiatives such as this are essential in strengthening our national commitment to conservation while fostering innovation and building resilience for future generations,” the Minister said.
The Advancing Conservation in the Eastern Caribbean Programme is expected to provide a framework for enhanced parliamentary engagement in environmental policy and strengthen regional cooperation in advancing biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Minister Welcomes Preliminary Findings on Regional Conservation Initiative.