European Union Director for the Caribbean and Latin America, Félix Fernández-Shaw visited St. Lucia from 21-23 January, the place he had bilateral conferences with the Organisation of Jap Caribbean States (OECS) Fee and the Governments of the OECS international locations.
The primary function of Fernandez-Shaw’s mission was to advance discussions on the EU-LAC International Gateway Funding Agenda (GGIA) with associate international locations within the Jap Caribbean.
The GGIA represents the European Union’s supply to bridge the funding hole within the area, utilising public financing to leverage personal capital and funding. The Funding Agenda offers a framework for the EU’s continued help to ongoing efforts within the area to advance a inexperienced and simply transition.
With Dr. Didacus Jules, Director Normal of the OECS, Mr Fernandez-Shaw mentioned find out how to strategically work within the areas of renewable vitality, water administration, local weather finance, digital transition, maritime transport and sargassum, together with to draw European investments in these sectors.
A productive assembly additionally passed off with OECS Ministers in command of digital affairs, as a way to talk about the alternatives for the OECS international locations to advance their bold digital agenda in partnership with the EU below the EU-LAC Digital Alliance.
Fernandez-Shaw additionally had bilateral conferences with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and different Ministers to debate areas of mutual curiosity to St. Lucia and the EU, particularly the implementation of the GGIA in Saint Lucia.
Fernandez-Shaw additionally inaugurated the Piaye Bridge collectively with Prime Minister Pierre. The inauguration of the Piaye Bridge follows its reconstruction and enlargement of the earlier momentary single lane construction, after it was destroyed by an excessive climate trough in 2013 that lower off entry to the south-western a part of the island for 15 days.
Rehabilitation of the bridge was one of many main actions below the World Financial institution Catastrophe Vulnerability Discount Challenge initiative, of which the EU contributed €6.1 million in grant support particularly in direction of the bridge works and different infrastructure rehabilitation in Anse La Raye. The general goal of the Catastrophe Vulnerability Discount Challenge was to scale back St. Lucia’s vulnerability to Local weather Change and excessive climate hazards.
The brand new 25-metre lengthy double-lane construction is designed to resist excessive hazard occasions, that are predicted to extend in frequency within the area, on account of local weather change. It’s 1.6 metres larger than the unique bridge to supply larger safety from potential elevated water ranges throughout a flood occasion and facilitates simpler passage of particles, lowering the potential for blockage and harm. The works on the website additionally included river coaching to make sure correct water stream beneath the bridge and replanting of bushes that have been destroyed throughout the trough to make sure the steadiness of the encircling space.
Other than St. Lucia, Director Fernandez-Shaw will even journey to Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, in addition to Jamaica.
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