Nate Update -Supporting Communication Minister Cozier Frederick
Roseau, Dominica – December 7, 2023
The Honourable Cozier Frederick, Minister of the Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment, and Constituency Empowerment of the Commonwealth of Dominica, led the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) into a transformative partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) at COP28 in Dubai on December 5, 2023.
The signing ceremony marked the formalization of a General Technical Cooperation agreement between PISLM and IICA, signifying a pivotal moment for sustainable land management in the Caribbean region. Notable attendees included Mr. Lloyd Day, Deputy Director General of IICA, the Honorable Penelope Beckles, Minister of Planning and Development of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Calvin James, Executive Director of PISLM, and the distinguished Minister Cozier Frederick.
Calvin James, Executive Director of PISLM, expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting its aim to strengthen cooperation and technical support for member states, with a primary focus on soil health. The organization is committed to assisting Caribbean countries in meeting their UNCCD and Barbados Programme of Action mandates.
Mr. Lloyd Day, Deputy Director General of IICA, emphasized the critical importance of addressing soil degradation in Latin America and the Caribbean. He commended past initiatives in the Caribbean region and stressed the urgency of sustainable practices for future needs.
Minister Cozier Frederick, Chair of the Ministerial Council, outlined the challenges faced by small island states and emphasized the need for an integrated management strategy. He thanked IICA for its ongoing support, recalling past collaborations in Dominica that focused on sustainable land management and resilience after Hurricane Maria.
Minister Frederick unveiled an ambitious project, the Caribbean Land Degradation Neutrality Transformational Project, spanning 14 Caribbean countries, with a focus on enhancing Dominica’s GDP through agriculture. He expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, acknowledging the local expertise within the Caribbean region and stressing the need to use this capacity for regional development.
The signing ceremony concluded with all ministers, partners, and participants pledging their commitment to a sustainable future and a fruitful relationship between PISLM and IICA, advancing the goals of sustainable land management across the Caribbean region.
Nate Media commends Minister Cozier Frederick and the PISLM for their dedication to environmental sustainability and looks forward to witnessing the positive impact of this transformative partnership.
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