ACP- MEAS

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

A warm welcome to all and a sincere thank you for accepting our invitation today.  Firstly, permit me to begin by expressing solidarity with our brothers and sisters in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the neighbouring islands affected by the ongoing volcanic activity.  Our thoughts are with those affected and for their continued safety. 

Tenth UK-Caribbean Forum_ Action Plan

At the conclusion of the 10^th UK-Caribbean Forum, held virtually on 18 March 2021, the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom and Caribbean countries, welcoming the Communiqué signed at the Forum, also agreed on the following Action Plan for a two-year period up to 2023, when the next full Forum meeting is currently envisaged. 

TENTH UK-CARIBBEAN FORUM_ COMMUNIQUÉ

Introduction

1. The Tenth United Kingdom-Caribbean Ministerial Forum was held virtually on 18 March 2021. The Governments of the United Kingdom and the Caribbean again reaffirmed their commitment to the Forum as an important vehicle for dialogue, partnership and cooperation, reflecting the special relationship that exists between the United Kingdom, the Caribbean States and the British Overseas Territories.

The Caribbean Region’s life and livelihoods are intrinsically linked to coastal and marine environment. As we give further consideration to the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts, it will require unprecedented innovations emanating from all sectors of society. This would be a necessary move to enable the region to cope with, respond to, and recover from the virus including from the deployment of sustainable ocean-based economies.

In an effort to strengthen the response of Caribbean countries to address the environmental concerns they face and enhance their capacities to fully engage in Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) implementation, the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Cartagena Convention, along with the Food and Agriculture Organization  of the United Nations (FAO) are jointly implementing a 5-year programme (2020-2024) funded by the European Union.

The XXII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean will take place on 18-19 January 2021, and will address the pressing environmental issues of the region, opportunities for green recovery, and urgent actions for nature in the next decade to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

CARICOM LAUNCHES PHASE III CARIBBEAN HUB SUBPROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION-UN ENVIRONMENT FUNDED CAPACITY BUILDING RELATED TO MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS PROJECT IN AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC (ACP) COUNTRIES PROJECT

Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and Acting Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) Mr.