Government representatives of 12 Caribbean Countries convened in Barbados from 30–31 October to advance coordinated action on climate resilience and sustainable land management through enhanced collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The meeting was held in direct response to decisions taken at the 4th Ministerial Council of the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), hosted in Grenada on 18 June 2025, where ministers were encouraged to support the implementation of a stronger regional framework to ensure countries can effectively access and leverage global climate and environment financing.
Chairman of the PISLM Ministerial Council, the Hon. Adrian Forde, Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Blue and Green Economy, Barbados, pointed out that the Caribbean contributes the least to the crisis, yet we bear the greatest losses: lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, and hard-won development gains. As such, he called for “concessional, rapid, and predictable finance, a plea, but a right.” Minister Forde expressed support for Jamaica in their time of need and remarked on the possible challenges and policy dexterity which Jamaica will be confronting at this time.
Minister Forde referred, “The spirit of the Bridgetown Initiative points the way: when shocks strike, countries must access resources immediately to build back — and build forward — without raiding health or social budgets. Recent steps to enable faster “loss and damage” support are welcome; now let’s make that speed and scale real on the ground.”
The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) continues to play a pivotal role as the regional coordination and implementation platform for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Land Degradation Focal Area in the Caribbean.
Through this mandate, PISLM provides technical assistance, fosters knowledge exchange, and ensures coherence in translating global environmental commitments into concrete local actions across the region.
Speaking at the meeting, PISLM Executive Director Dr Ronen Francis reaffirmed the organisation’s unwavering commitment to the GEF’s mission of restoring degraded lands, enhancing ecosystem services, and improving livelihoods. “Our region faces complex and interconnected challenges,” Dr Francis noted. “Just look at the devastation recently witnessed in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Bahamas, or the prolonged dry periods experienced during this year’s rainy season. Yet, even as we confront these realities, we must also recognise our immense potential. Together, we can turn our shared vision of sustainable land management and drought resilience into a regional success story.”
Dr Francis underscored that achieving this vision requires strong collaboration among governments, development partners, and communities. “Let us continue to work hand-in-hand to ensure that the Caribbean remains a model for sustainable, resilient, and inclusive development,” he urged.
PISLM’s work continues to reflect its central mission — to support Caribbean nations in meeting their commitments under global environmental frameworks while promoting climate-resilient livelihoods, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem restoration.
As climate-related challenges intensify, PISLM remains committed to building a future where land resources are managed sustainably, ensuring that communities across the region can thrive in balance with nature.
The undertaking presented a unique opportunity for PISLM and its implementing partners to report significant progress in the first phase of the SOILCARE project, implemented in 8 Caribbean SIDS; the Integrated Landscape Management Project in Carriacou, the PRAIS Reporting, Caribbean Drought Initiative and the Sustainable Land Management and Post Maria in the Commonwealth of Dominica — all GEF-funded projects.
PISLM
