(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown) At the world celebrates International Water Day on March 22, 2015, Assistant Secretary-General, Directorate of Human and Social Development, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Ambassador Douglas Slater, has underscored the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable water management.
In a message to mark the occasion, Dr. Slater noted that partnerships remained one of the means of implementation needed to achieve water sustainability.
“Partnerships are crucial as water cuts across levels of authority, disciplines and interest groups. Therefore, as national development decisions are being made, a multi-disciplinary approach must be taken to ensure a sustainable and secured future for water.”
“The very survival of humanity hinges upon identifying priorities to improve the management of the world’s water resources. The Caribbean Community is committed to working in the spirit of cooperation and partnership to search for the urgent solutions needed to secure water for future generations,” Dr. Slater stated.
He expressed concerns about the impact of climate variability on water resources in the Region which was evident when CARICOM Member States experienced prolonged droughts in 2014, severely affecting agricultural production, and water availability for domestic and industrial uses including hydro power generation.
“Climate change will continue to have serious implications for water resources in the Region. Of great concern is extreme weather events, causing floods, droughts, and impacting severely on agriculture, food security and the prosperity of the Region.”
This creeping drought phenomenon, he added, has strengthened the Community’s commitment to continue efforts to highlight the importance of water management at the national and regional levels.
Ambassador Slater issued a call for individuals to be responsible in observing strict water conservation practices by eliminating wastage and reporting leaks to relevant authorities. At the Regional level, he noted that the recently concluded 53rd Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Environment and Sustainable Development has also issued a call for CARICOM Member States to treat water resource management as an area of critical importance.
To commemorate World Water Day, the CARICOM Secretariat mounted an exhibition that demonstrated the use of a reverse osmosis system for water filtration; an aquaponic demonstration modeling a sustainable agriculture method that integrates hydroponic (plant) and aquaculture (animal) for production of leafy salad crops, and herbs. The exhibition also featured the display of publications related to water and water sustainability as well as an artistic demonstration of water conservation and harvesting for domestic uses.
Kindly view photos of the exhibition mounted by the CARICOM Secretariat on Friday 20 March in commemoration of World Water Day on Sunday 22 March 2015.
