25th COTED meeting on environment commences

Georgetown, GINA, April 17, 2008

The opening session of the Twenty fifth special meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) commenced today at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal. This Caribbean Community Ministerial conference on the environment will among other things discuss sustainable development of the Region’s resources and the effects of climate change on the Region.
            Delivering opening remarks at the conference CARICOM Assistant Secretary General, Human and Social Development, Dr Edward Greene said that the meeting was significant as it is designed to help fashion the frame work for the natural resources development of the Region.
            He alluded to the link between resource development and sustainable development which are essential to developing the wellbeing of the Caribbean. He called for cohesive leadership in the management of the environment to maximize its limited resources in the face of natural disasters and climate change.
            Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud after welcoming the delegates to Guyana outline the need for a Regional policy to deal with the common problem and vulnerability of the Region.
            He applauded the work of the Caribbean Committee Climate Change Committee which he said provides guidance on the issues affecting the Region.
            He reiterated the need for a market based compensation for the Region’s standing forest resources and the need to safeguard its food and fresh water resources. Persaud outlined the vulnerability of the agriculture sector which is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
            CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington in his remarks thanked the participating countries for their presence at the conference. He said their presence shows their commitment to action which was necessary given the effects of natural disasters that have not only plagued the region but other parts of the globe.
            St Lucia’s Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Allan Chastanet, representing the Prime Minister outlined the actions being taken in other parts of the world to deal with environmental issues which have an impact on the Region. He posited that a collective approach to addressing these issues was essential to the Region’s survival.
            The two-day conference will consider a working document which was prepared for the conference.

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