Anguilla and the other members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States have gone away from a two-day meeting inspired about how to conserve the national resources of the territories, and further protect and enhance the development of the environment.
The event was the 17th Meeting of the OECS Ministers of the Environment Policy Committee, and the 21st Technical Advisory Committee meeting, hosted at Paradise Cove on October 2 and 3 by the Anguilla Government.
In his welcome address, Jerome Roberts, Anguilla’s Minister of Home Affairs, Education and the Environment, spoke in part of the impacts of climate change on the environment, natural resources and the economy of the various islands.
“As leaders with an environmental remit, we must also be aware that the issue of invasive species is also posing a threat to our ecosystems and economic engines,” he stated. “These pests are creating a major challenge to our livelihoods as they continuously reduce local food production and supply and disrupt important ecosystem functions.
“Furthermore, as we endeavour to achieve sustainable development we, as Ministers of the Environment, must be mindful of the need to diversify and green our economic approaches. However, this must be done in a manner that will not negatively impact our natural environment.”
The other speaker was Bentley Browne, Director of the Social and Sustainable Development Division at the St Lucia-based Secretariat. He said in part: “While we face a number of challenges and severe vulnerabilities as a region,we have decided to come together – to work towards greater economic union – hopefully to build the lives of ourpeople and to ensure sustained and sustainable development.
“Our meeting, over the next two days, will be focusing on the preservation and conservation of our natural resources as we strive to ensure that we build greater resilience and to ensure greater growth, social equity and environmental integrity for sustained inward development…
“We are working with the Governments to develop a growth and development strategy. We are also working together with OECS member states, and the wider CARICOM, in implementing the Regional Climate Change Programme and also the Regional Energy Policy approved earlier this year.
“We are preparing for a major Small Island Development Conference in 2014 in which a number of issues relating to small island states will be raised…
“It is my hope that this meeting will be fruitful and that we will leave here convinced and inspired to go forward to continue our work in the area of the environment.”
