GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) ministers of the surroundings and sustainable improvement mentioned Wednesday that regional nations have been engaged in an intensive worldwide surroundings agenda that can evolve with key decision-making on biodiversity, local weather change, land degradation, and plastics.
“ Whereas the negotiating agenda stays difficult for our restricted nationwide capacities, we stay dedicated given the clear and current hazard that inaction in these spheres poses to the livelihoods of present and future generations of residents of the Caribbean Neighborhood,” the ministers mentioned in a joint assertion.
The ministers mentioned Caribbean nations are deeply dedicated to implementing the World Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and are monitoring and reporting on its implementation.
They mentioned that concerning the continued United Nations Biodiversity Convention (COP16) assembly in Colombia, member states are dedicated to updating and aligning Nationwide Biodiversity Methods and Motion Plans (NBSAPS) to the World Biodiversity Framework, including, “We additionally place precedence on the completion of finance methods to precisely value actions however be aware that these are depending on the profitable completion of the NBSAPs.
Nevertheless, they mentioned that CARICOM stays involved concerning the sluggish tempo of the NBSAP replace and alignment processes on account of challenges encountered with procurement processes exterior the management of the member states.
“Whereas member states recognize the help offered, administrative processes have to be expedited to make sure that extra invaluable time is just not misplaced,” the ministers mentioned.
They mentioned that to offer constructive options, “we imagine there’s room for CARICOM regional Establishments, delicate to the regional and nationwide capabilities of CARICOM member states and able to offering clear course, steering, and well timed suggestions to the CBD and the GEF nationwide focal factors’ organizations, significantly these with a restricted workforce, to plan and implement the NBSAP-related initiatives and be accredited to the GEF to implement initiatives and applications.
“Contemplating this, we request that the Caribbean Growth Financial institution (CDB) think about being accredited to the World Surroundings Facility”.
The minister mentioned they’ve noticed that for the efficient implementation of the World Biodiversity Objectives, there have to be nearer synergies with different Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), together with the United Nations Framework Conference on Local weather Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Conference to Fight Desertification (UNCCD), and the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, and Minamata (BRSM) Conventions.
They argue that the time is now to develop actions to advance synergistic implementation, particularly contemplating the restricted human and monetary capability.
“We acknowledge the necessity to strengthen the area’s capability in biodiversity by, amongst different issues, enhancing coaching and native experience, growing analysis infrastructure, and strengthening regional establishments devoted to biodiversity.
“We, subsequently, welcome the nomination of the CARICOM Secretariat to function a number sub-regional Technical and Scientific Cooperation Centre (TSC) below the Conference of Organic Variety to help the implementation of the World Biodiversity Framework and proceed its efforts to help Member States to raise the significance of biodiversity administration.”
The minister mentioned they had been calling on regional and worldwide companions to help the CARICOM Secretariat in progressing the work of the TSC.
The minister mentioned the problems of invasive alien species, marine, and coastal ecosystems, the 30 x 30 goal, digital sequence info, and its linkage to entry and advantages sharing and restoring degrading ecosystems are all shared issues for the area.
“The necessity for elevated public consciousness and strengthening knowledge and data methods underpins these points.
“There are additionally points that talk on to our vulnerabilities, similar to post-disaster restoration and the necessity to restore essential island ecosystems similar to tropical and mangrove forests, in addition to sustainable useful resource administration in extractive industries similar to mining and forestry and the way these assist with the battle towards the impacts of world local weather change,” the ministers added.
They mentioned that for these causes, CARICOM stays hopeful however sensible about implementing the GBF.
“ Regardless of our vulnerabilities and financial challenges, we stay formidable and modern. We look ahead to working with events and civil society and into.”
Relating to the twenty ninth Convention of the Events (COP29) to be held in Azerbaijan in November, the regional ministers mentioned the local weather change disaster is just not abating.
“Our area stays on the direct path of impacts from excessive climate occasions to slow-onset occasions, all of which threaten our folks, their livelihoods, our economies, and our surroundings. Continued world inaction will lead to an overshoot of 1.5 levels Celsius this decade.
“The results will likely be devastating for island economies depending on agriculture, fishing, and tourism as evidenced following the passage of Hurricane Beryl by means of our area, and the numerous impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and marine biodiversity.”
They mentioned following the outcomes of the First World Stocktake of the Paris Settlement objectives, the COP 28 United Arab Emirates (UAE) Consensus was endorsed to place the world on monitor to attain the 1.5 levels Celsius temperature objective and to guard probably the most susceptible through an power transition package deal, a worldwide resilience framework, and the newly operationalized loss and injury fund.
The ministers mentioned CARICOM is dedicated to the total implementation of the UAE Consensus, including, “We anticipate that the Baku Local weather Change Convention (COP 29) will construct on the Consensus, ship on the local weather finance objective for its implementation, and safeguard the pursuits of Small Island Creating States (SIDS) and Least Developed Nations (LDCs).”
They mentioned sustained efforts have to be made to preserve, shield, and restore forests and nature, and carbon markets and different financing mechanisms are essential to resourcing these efforts.
”CARICOM emphasizes that implementation of the UAE Consensus is pressing. Transitioning away from fossil fuels is prime to retaining world warming under 1.5 levels Celsius. “We encourage all Events to the Paris Settlement to contribute to this worldwide effort by implementing present nationally decided contributions (NDCs) and elaborating their subsequent NDCs due in February 2025.
“We name significantly on the Group of 20, answerable for 80 p.c of world emissions, to deliver ahead 1.5 aligned NDCs as quickly as potential. Our future relies on your motion and ambition,” the CARICOM ministers of surroundings and sustainable improvement mentioned of their joint assertion.
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