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Strong CARICOM participation on Day One of UN Ocean Conference

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States sent a strong signal about their commitment to saving the oceans by taking lead roles in a number of the activities on Day One of the UN Oceans conference in New York, Monday 5 June, 2017.

Grenada facilitated two strongly supported events on the Blue Economy:  ‘Financing for the Blue Economy in Small Island Developing States’, and ‘Transitioning to the Blue Economy: Partnerships, Innovation and Approaches for Small Island States’.  The transition from conventional economy in the ocean to a blue or sustainable economy is being promoted as a tremendous economic and investment opportunity if done right. However there are concerns that human activity may be putting tremendous pressure on the health of the oceans. Grenada’s Dr. Angus Friday who facilitated the Transitioning discussion, is a co-founding Member of the Blue Network.

The Government of Belize, through Minister of State Hon. Omar Figueroa presented ‘The Belize Model for Sustainable Small Scale Fisheries: a partnership success story’.  This is a dynamic strategy for eco-system based fisheries management that combines marine tenure, harvest control, protected areas, the empowerment of fisher folks and multi-stakeholder partnerships towards the advancement of sustainable small scale fisheries.

Jamaica’s Foreign Minister Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith joined more than 20 presenters on ‘Addressing Marine Pollution’ – the theme for the first of seven Partnership Dialogues scheduled for the Conference.  Presenters highlighted steps being taken to reduce or eliminate pollution in the oceans including the heavy presence of plastics. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados Hon. Maxine McClean joined New Zealand and the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) for another well supported Side Event.

CARICOM delegates are keen to ensure that the Region’s priorities and best practices are well reflected in the outcome Call for Action Document as well as in the voluntary commitments to be made by the global community.

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