CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS) says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Mo)U) with Conservation Worldwide, an accredited company for the International Surroundings Facility (GEF) and the Inexperienced Local weather Fund (GCF).
The St. Lucia-based OECS Fee acknowledged that the MoU goals to formalize a strategic partnership targeted on advancing conservation, sustainable improvement, and local weather resilience throughout the Japanese Caribbean.
The OECS Director Basic signed the MoU, Dr. Didacus Jules, and CI’s Senior Vice President for Area Programmes, Kelvin Alie, on the latest twelfth OECS Council of Ministers assembly on Environmental Sustainability (COM: ES 12) in Antigua and Barbuda.
It mentioned that the settlement outlines a shared imaginative and prescient to assist the conservation, sustainable use, and efficient administration of the area’s pure sources. It additionally commits each organizations to boost local weather resilience by means of collaborative motion targeted on financing, partnership constructing, capability improvement, and knowledgeable decision-making.
“This partnership is a game-changer for our area. It’s about extra than simply defending nature. It’s about securing a thriving future for our individuals. By investing in the environment, we’re additionally creating jobs, strengthening resilience, and upholding the values of equity and sustainability on the coronary heart of the St. George’s Declaration 2040,” Jules mentioned.
The CI is a non-profit group that operates internationally in over 30 nations throughout six continents, partnering with a variety of organizations to empower societies to responsibly and sustainably take care of nature, selling the well-being of humanity.
“We’re honored to face with the OECS on this important work. The Caribbean’s pure sources, its coral reefs, forests, and coastlines, are the muse of life right here. By safeguarding them, we’re securing a greater future for hundreds of thousands,” mentioned Alie.
Below the settlement, the OECS acknowledged that the CI would deliver its experience to the desk by unlocking funding and serving to OECS nations entry finance for local weather and conservation targets, in addition to advising on blue carbon initiatives, similar to mangrove and seagrass restoration and nature-based local weather options.
It can additionally assist stronger environmental legal guidelines according to international requirements, enhance knowledge sharing and decision-making for a greener financial system, and assist small and medium-sized enterprises thrive in nature-friendly industries.
The Fee acknowledged that the OECS would offer coverage insights for the Lesser Antilles Panorama program, bringing governments, communities, and companions collectively to attain a larger influence and co-create initiatives that fight local weather change whereas defending biodiversity.
The sub-regional grouping may also rally monetary and political backing to scale up profitable initiatives. Each organizations may also share information on conservation funding, inexperienced financial shifts, and local weather resilience methods.
“This collaboration highlights the OECS’s position as a regional chief in environmental motion, proving as soon as once more that revolutionary, science-driven options can drive actual change,” the OECS Fee mentioned, including that the settlement will run for 3 years, with the choice to increase, marking the beginning of a long-term dedication to a more healthy, extra resilient Japanese Caribbean.
