The eighth Excessive-Stage Discussion board (HLF) for Caribbean Ministers and Senior Sector Officers accountable for waste administration concluded Thursday, marking a step ahead within the area’s dedication to reaching a Zero Waste Caribbean.
Underneath the theme “Strengthening Regional Motion Towards a Zero Waste Caribbean”, the discussion board served as a platform for essential discussions on financing round financial system options, regional collaboration, and personal sector engagement in waste administration. Key classes addressed sustainable financing, personal sector involvement, and progressive options to drive the round financial system and scale back waste era throughout the Area.
Marvin Gonzales, Minister of Public Utilities of Trinidad and Tobago, highlighted: “The nation’s waste administration problem is the era of over 700,000 tons of waste yearly, with two-thirds of landfills exceeding capability. The necessity for behavioral change, up to date insurance policies, and higher infrastructure, notably for e-waste administration is prime.”
Gonzales expressed confidence in new initiatives, such because the Trinidad Cement Restricted – Stable Waste Administration Firm Restricted memorandum of understanding, which goals to handle these challenges and drive discount of waste disposal.
In his opening handle, Marlon Daniels, President of the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Affiliation (CWWA), supplied background on the pivotal 2017 determination to undertake waste administration because the third pillar of CWWA’s mission. He reiterated CWWA’s pledge to proceed supporting capacity-building efforts and fostering partnerships to strengthen waste administration throughout the Caribbean.
For his half, Vincent Sweeney, Head of the Caribbean Sub-Regional Workplace on the United Nations Atmosphere Programme (UNEP), highlighted the alarming progress in waste era within the Area: “with 320,000 tons of plastic impacting the marine surroundings, it’s essential to strengthen nationwide frameworks and capacity-building efforts to transition from idea to implementation in waste administration.”
A key second in the course of the discussion board was the signing of the “Declaration of Port of Spain 2024 on Regional Motion in the direction of Zero Waste”, which outlines the Area’s shared dedication to adopting round financial system rules, enhancing waste administration insurance policies, and mobilizing monetary sources to help each nationwide and regional objectives. The declaration additionally highlights the significance of digital transformation and enhanced knowledge administration techniques to trace and enhance waste administration processes.
All through the discussion board, regional case research had been introduced to showcase one of the best practices and progressive options in waste administration and round financial system initiatives. Grenada shared insights on rehabilitating its Perseverance landfill web site and the significance of waste diversion efforts, whereas the British Virgin Islands mentioned the challenges posed by small island measurement and waste disposal constraints. Different Caribbean nations, together with Saint Lucia and Barbados, additionally shared profitable initiatives geared toward decreasing waste and selling recycling efforts.
The discussion board additionally advisable the institution of regional working teams to advance waste administration which embody round financial system rules, alongside the creation of a Regional Neighborhood of Observe to foster continued engagement, information sharing, and the dissemination of greatest practices throughout the Caribbean.
The occasion, organized by the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Affiliation (CWWA), the United Nations Atmosphere Programme (UNEP), the Ministry of Public Utilities of Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean Improvement Financial institution (CDB), the Inter-American Improvement Financial institution (IDB), and the World Financial institution, gathered roughly 50 members together with 5 ministers, senior officers, improvement companions, and personal sector representatives from throughout the Caribbean to interact in strategic discussions on advancing sustainable waste administration practices incorporating round financial system rules.
This discussion board was supported by the European Union-funded Zero Waste within the Caribbean: New Methods New Waves Mission, co-financed by the German Authorities. Since 2022, this Initiative goals to foster regional cooperation in partnership with CARIFORUM and help progressive options to waste administration challenges.
William Ashby, Division Chief (Ag.) of the Financial Infrastructure Division on the Caribbean Improvement Financial institution (CDB), underscored the rise in CDB’s accreditation to the Inexperienced Local weather Fund from $50 million to $250 million USD, offering a big platform for the design and implementation of regional waste administration tasks.
In the meantime, Sergio Campos, Division Chief of Water and Sanitation on the Inter-American Improvement Financial institution (IDB), emphasised the necessity to have interaction the youthful era and foster collaboration between producers and shoppers to drive the round financial system ahead.
Penelope Beckles, Minister of Planning and Improvement, acknowledged Trinidad and Tobago’s dedication to a Zero Waste Caribbean and reiterated the significance of the Revised Framework for the Administration of Municipal Stable Waste. She expressed gratitude to the CWWA and all companions for his or her efforts towards stable waste administration within the Area.
Along with significant discussions the members additionally joined a session on structuring and implementing a deposit return system within the Caribbean together with experiences in Barbados, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, .and subject visits passed off to native recycling amenities and native trade initiatives producing plastic lumber.
Trying forward, the Discussion board will facilitate enhanced collaboration all through the Caribbean, reinforcing the area’s dedication to sustainable waste administration and round financial system practices. This shared dedication aligns with the worldwide Sustainable Improvement Targets (SDGs) and positions the Caribbean as a pacesetter in regional waste administration transformation.
