Marigot, Dominica – December 7, 2023
In a move aimed at addressing environmental challenges and fostering sustainable land management, the Commonwealth of Dominica, through its Minister for the Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment, and Constituency Empowerment, the Honorable Cozier Frederick, has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) and IICA formalized their collaboration through the signing of a General Technical Cooperation agreement at the IICA Pavilion during COP28 in Dubai on December 5, 2023.
The signing ceremony, attended by esteemed dignitaries including Minister Cozier Frederick, Mr. Lloyd Day (Deputy Director General of IICA), Honorable Penelope Beckles (Minister of Planning and Development of Trinidad and Tobago), and Mr. Calvin James (Executive Director of PISLM), marks a significant milestone in the global effort to combat environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices.
The agreement between PISLM and IICA sets the stage for enhanced collaboration and technical cooperation, focusing particularly on issues related to soil health and critical environmental concerns. This collaboration aims to support member states in fulfilling their mandates under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Barbados Programme of Action.
During his remarks at the ceremony, Mr. Calvin James emphasized the pivotal role of IICA in assisting PISLM to meet its obligations, emphasizing the urgency of addressing soil degradation in Latin America and the Caribbean. He expressed gratitude for the partnership and highlighted the commitment of IICA to work collaboratively across the Caribbean to restore soil, enhance productivity, and contribute to the success of the initiative.
Minister Cozier Frederick, serving as the Chair of the Ministerial Council of PISLM, provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by small island states and stressed the need for integrated land management strategies. He praised the partnership with IICA and cited past collaborations, including projects in Dominica focused on sustainable land management and resilience after Hurricane Maria.
In a major announcement, Minister Frederick unveiled the Caribbean Land Degradation Neutrality Transformational Project, covering 14 Caribbean countries. He expressed enthusiasm about partnering with IICA to implement this ambitious project and emphasized the importance of leveraging local capacity to strengthen the region’s resilience.
The PISLM extended gratitude to the ministers and participants, reaffirming its commitment to a fruitful relationship with IICA and the shared goal of achieving sustainable land management in the Caribbean region.
For more information, news tips, releases, or event coverage, please contact Nate Media at [internationalprmasters@gmail.com]. Stay tuned for further updates as Dominica takes a leading role in transforming the landscape for a more sustainable future.
