Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Senator the Hon Simon Stiell, is among OECS Ministers responsible for environmental portfolios, who are meeting this week in Road Town, Tortola for their inaugural meeting since the Revised Treaty of Basseterre came into force in 2011. Stiell is accompanied by Malachai Dottin of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment.
The meeting was preceded by the opening of a 2–day exhibition on climate change yesterday 29 September, at Levity Stoutt College. Addresses were presented by Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr the Hon D Orlando Smith, and His Excellency Governor of the Virgin Islands, John S Duncan.
The exhibition will be followed by a meeting on Wednesday 1 October at Maria’s By The Sea. The agenda includes topics on ocean governance, energy and climate change in addition to other relevant policy issues related to natural disasters, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Officials at the OECS Commission noted that all Member States will be represented at the meeting, including five ministers responsible for environment in their various governments. According to a release from the OECS secretariat, “As usual, ministers are expected to hold talks with development partners and donor agencies on funding needs for undertaking sustainable development related projects and programmes in the region.”
By Linda Straker
