Environment & Sustainable Development

Towards a Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity - A Synthesis Document

As the Caribbean Community continues to battle against intense events including hurricanes and troughs, #CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett has joined the Region at the global Climate Change Summit, #COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to advocate for better and for more.

CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, delivered the opening remarks at a CARICOM and UNDESA side event titled 'Environmental Monitoring for Loss and Damage: Early Warning Systems and Impact Attribution Capacity in the Caribbean SIDS' at the SDG Pavilion in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 14 November 2022.

CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett on Monday 5 September delivered the Second Distinguished Owen Arthur Memorial Lecture in Bridgetown, Barbados. The lecture was delivered under the theme ‘The Future of CARICOM; Charting a Vision for the Region’s Economic Advancement’.

It was organised by the the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, Shridath Ramphal Centre, and the Caribbean Development Bank.

Please read the lecture below:

Ministers of the Environment of CARICOM met recently in the 103rd Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Integration (COTED Environment) to deliberate on a number of issues on the regional sustainable development agenda. One of the main outcomes of the meeting was the approval of the CARICOM Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework.

The annual UN Climate Change Conference advances the global climate talks, mobilizes action, and can provide a significant opportunity to look at the impacts of climate change as well as innovation and solutions in Africa. 

Honourable Minister of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, and Chair of the COTED – Environment, Mr. Shawn Edward

Honourable Ministers of Environment and Sustainable Development

Representatives of CARICOM Member States

Representatives of the OECS Commission

Representatives of Associate and Community Institutions

Special Invited Guests

CARICOM Secretariat Colleagues

Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Joseph Cox of the CARICOM Secretariat on Thursday 9 June said climate vulnerabilities and the threats posed by global warming represent a call to action for building strategic alliances, legislative and institutional strengthening, greater levels of public education, and effective advocacy.

Describing climate change as “the defining issue of our time,” he said CARICOM’s resolve must be to build a more sustainable and inclusive future while working in partnership with others.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) office officially kicked off the new €6.85 million European Union funded initiative on climate change and health with the first Regional Partner Dialogue.