Workshop to Enhance the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention

The three day workshop was hosted by the Basel Convention Regional Centre with the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) was held from February 19th -21st, 2013, at the Banquet and Conference Centre, MovieTowne, Invaders Bay. 

The objectives of the workshop were to :

• Develop a regional programme or project(s) in order to assist Caribbean countries in meeting their obligations under the Stockholm Convention and;

• Test an approach of using a Regional Centre set up by the Waste and Chemical Conventions (Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam) to assist in the development and execution of waste and chemical projects as a formal project executing unit.

Thirteen (13) country representatives were present at this workshop. In addition, participants from Trinidad and Tobago agencies such as the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), Green Fund, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (DNRE) from the Tobago House of the Assembly. The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources was represented by Ms. Nalini Sooklal; Waste Specialist of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit. There was also representation from the UNDP Offices, Barbados.  

The Workshop culminated on a fruitful note with a Draft Project Concept Note (PCN), that encompassed the varying needs of the countries in the region, being finalised. 

>> For more information on the outcomes on workshop, visit the Basel Convention Regional Centre blogspot 

Participants after the opening session on the first day of the workshop. Representatives of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and its agencies included; front row: Senator, the Honourable Mr Ganga Singh (3rd from the left); Permanent Secretary, Mrs Vidiah Ramkhelawan (4th from the left; Head, BCRC- Caribbean, Dr   Ahmad Khan (2nd from the right) ;  Waste Specialist, MEAU,  Ms Nalini Sooklal (4th from the right). Back row: Head, MEAU, Mr Kishan Kumarsingh (1st from the left).

Inception Workshop of the new forest and PA project

In June 2012, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved the development of a project on ‘Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago’ worth US$2.79 million, to cover this biodiversity focal area. A project preparation grant of US$119,000 was subsequently approved in September 2012. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been given the lead to develop the project document by August 2013, in collaboration with relevant departments in Trinidad and Tobago and in consultation with diverse stakeholders, for submitting to GEF for endorsement.

The project’s Inception Workshop was held during October 31 to November 01, 2012 at Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre in Couva, and was the first step in a series of consultations with relevant stakeholders. The workshop was geared at creating awareness among national stakeholders about the project, and soliciting their feedback to assist in designing the project.

Senator the Honourable Mr Ganga Singh, Minister of Environment and Water Resources delivered the keynote speech at the event, welcoming stakeholders and inviting their valuable input in the event’s proceedings. Approximately 125 participants were informed through presentations on various technical aspects of the project at this workshop. Stakeholders also actively participated in several group discussions, focusing on the project components and project preparation activities. The comments and contributions at these groups were then recorded and will be useful for planning various project activities and collecting the baseline data needed for preparing the project document. 

Senator the Honourable Mr Ganga Singh delivering his keynote speech at the Inception Workshop

Relevant outcomes of the deliberations are summarised in the Inception Workshop Report below. The presentations delivered at the Workshop have also been condensed into the 'Presentation slides.'

Inception Workshop Report
Presentation Slides

GEF ECW in Antigua

Antigua and Barbuda, 8 - 10 May, 2012

The EPPD recently participated in the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW) in Antigua and Barbuda on May 8 - 10, 2012. Approximately 75 technical experts from the Caribbean region participated in the Workshop. 

The ECW is a component of the GEF Country Support Programme and brings together GEF focal points, focal points from major Conventions (Biodiversity, Desertification, Climate Change and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)), representatives from civil society, and representatives from the GEF Secretariat and GEF Agencies. 

This year's workshop built on the success of the 2011 ECW, and sought to further strengthen participants knowledge of GEF-5 (the 5th replenishment of resources of the GEF Trust Fund  for the period 2010-2014) programmes, policies, and procedures. The ECW was also an opportunity to discuss priority issues and share lessons learnt from the development and implementation of GEF projects and their integration within national policy frameworks.

The final day of the workshop consisted of site visits to Antigua and Barbuda’s current GEF funded projects.

T&T Delegation (L-R): 
Dr. Joth Singh (EMA), Shamaine Lewis-Collins (MHE), Brian James  (CFCA), Candace Amoroso (MHE), Julius Smith (MHE), Ermath Harrington (CCA) and Neera Singh (MHE)

Mr Julius Smith of the EPPD delivering a group

presentation on behalf of the T&T Delegation