Caribbean Small Island Developing States (CSIDS) have indicated their concerns, on the forecasted threats of droughts and drought-like conditions within the region, making a plea for financing, capacity building and access to data to adapt and mitigate against the threat.
Ministers responsible for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) from the CSIDS, expressed their concerns at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16), in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, on 3 December, as they engaged a team from United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), during a CSIDS High-Level Dialogue on Drought.
“These conditions can only make matters for us worse; we must identify drought and flooding as a priority, as SIDS are vulnerable to the impacts of Climate Change,” explained Hon. Alfred Prospere, Chairman of the PISLM Ministerial Council.
While the meeting provided a forum for ministers to indicate their concerns over the forecasted threat, it also presented the opportunity for them to request collaborations with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Bahamas Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources-Hon. Vaughn Miller echoed the sentiments of his regional counterpart. According to him, “There is still a dire need for degradation neutrality financing, and the challenges for Caribbean SIDS to access meaningful finance to achieve degradation neutrality are forever widening.”
Relating experiences from Grenada, Minister for Economic Development and Planning, Agriculture and Lands, Forestry and Marine Resources Hon. Lennox Andrews related experiences from his country that testifies the impact of climate change and land degradation. He explained that, “This year alone, Grenada endured a severe drought, a Category 4 hurricane, and flash flooding, all of which severely impacted food production, infrastructure and ecosystems.”
The meeting with the FAO representatives also sought to explore the development of a regional drought initiative for the Caribbean that can be funded through the Land Degradation GEF STAR 9 allocations.
With this meeting being the largest one in the history of the UNCCD and the first to be held in the Middle East, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Domestic Transport, ICT and Posts in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis Hon. Konris Maynard believes that this must be “A point of relief and it must bring some justice for SIDS.” He said that like other Small Island Developing States that are being impacted by Climate Change, there must be increased funding and partnerships to protect the future of the land.
The CSIDS High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on drought was facilitated by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), led by its Executive Director, Calvin James. The Food and Agriculture Organization team comprised Jeffrey Gaskin, Executive Coordinator of the GEF Unit, and Li Lifeng Director of the Water Division.
PISLM
