There is an old truism that Water is Life. This is borne out by the 2002 United Nations World Water Development Report, which, among other things, states that, “…of all the social and natural resource crises, we humans face, the water crisis is the one that lies at the heart of our survival and that of our planet Earth.”
It therefore seems fitting that, at this World’s Fair in Zaragoza, with its theme of “Water and Sustainable Development,” and with its slogan of “the Biggest Water Festival on Earth” is both celebratory on the one hand while serving as a reminder of the peril that awaits us if we ignore the value of water to our existence. For us in the Caribbean Community the importance of water cannot be overemphasized. It is a source of life for many bearing in mind that 12 of our 15 Member States and all five of our Associate Members are small islands and the other three Member States are low-lying coastal states, making us all members of the designated Small Island Developing States (SIDS) grouping.
Further, given that tourism is the major contributor to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the seas that surround us with their beautiful beaches serve as the principal attraction to the thousands who visit us yearly along with our perpetual sunshine. Those same seas also provide us with a fishing industry that supplies a critical source of food for our peoples.
Little wonder then that we fought vigorously at the level of the United Nations for a resolution to secure the recognition of the Caribbean Sea as a Special Area in the context of Sustainable Development. This battle continues with the Association of Caribbean States taking the lead in ensuring that the Resolution achieves its ultimate goal.
We in the Caribbean are also mindful of one of the key UN Millennium Goals which is to halve the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water; we also adhere to the four Dublin Principles set out in 1992 at the International Conference on Water and the Environment in Dublin, Ireland. These are: Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment; Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and policymakers at all levels; Women play a central part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water; and Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognised as an economic good.
It should therefore not come as a surprise that we are convinced of the direct link between water and sustainable development and see merit in the Hague Ministerial Declaration of March 2000, which adopted seven challenges including securing the food supply – especially for the poor and vulnerable – through the more effective use of water, protecting ecosystems – ensuring their integrity – via sustainable water resource management, governing water wisely – involving the public and the interests of all stakeholders and promoting cleaner industry with respect to water quality and the needs of other users.
Against this backdrop, let me commend the organisers of Expo Zaragoza 2008, who are leading by example with the sustainability criteria being applied across all its component parts including in the manufacture of cutlery and crockery and in meeting the energy needs of the event. This is extended to the use of hydrogen engines for the different forms of transport during the Expo.
Ladies and Gentlemen, CARICOM has been enthusiastic in its support for and participation in this event and our very attractive pavilion has been complimented by all those who have visited – not only for its design but also for the material that we have put on display to showcase the Region. This is evidenced by the daily average of more than 4,000 visitors, since the Fair opened on 14 June, who have been entertained by the cultural aspects of our presentation.
On behalf of my fellow Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), of which I have the honour and privilege to serve as Chairman, I would like to extend the region’s appreciation for the generosity of the government and people of Spain who assisted greatly in ensuring our participation in this magnificent event.
I exhort all of you here today to enjoy this taste of the Caribbean as a prelude to coming to our shores and partaking of the full fare and look forward to your participation and enjoyment of this CARICOM Day at Expo 2008 Zaragoza.
I thank you.
