First National Interagency Workshop for the Norway ODA Mercury Storage and Disposal Project

The First National Interagency Workshop for the Mercury Storage and Disposal Project in the Caribbean was held on Wednesday 18th, May 2016 at the Ministry of Planning and Development’s Conference Room on Level 26, Tower D, International Waterfront Complex, Port of Spain.

The Project which is funded through the Norway Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), aims to enhance capacities, promote the environmentally sound storage and disposal of surplus mercury, and support the ratification and early implementation in three (3) selected countries in the Caribbean: Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

 In attendance were members of the National Working Group which is a multi-sectoral body comprised of representatives from ministries, government agencies, the oil and gas sector, dental association, civil society and academia. Ms. Keima Gardiner represented the Ministry of Planning and Development at the Workshop.

Participants at the First National Interagency Workshop for the Mercury Storage and Disposal Project in the Caribbean was held on Wednesday 18th, May 2016

This Workshop was designed to facilitate coordination of the various project activities which include:

• an inventory of mercury waste streams, 
• survey and analysis of possible temporary storage locations, 
• review of the regulatory framework, 
• assessment of basic management options, and 
• the development of a national storage and waste management action plan

The presentations delivered throughout the session focused on these project activities, along with guidance on potential local generators for use in supplying data to the inventory. The session closed with the country representatives’ presentation on the documented sources of mercury in Trinidad and Tobago and a revision of the country work plan based on the input of participants. This project is carded for completion by December 2016.

Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in Countries in the Caribbean Region: Trinidad and Tobago National Workshop

On April 28^th, 2016 at the Trinidad Hilton & Conference Centre, local stakeholders (UTT, UWI, Ministry of Legal Affairs, EMA, Ministry of Planning and Development and others) gathered together at the "Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in countries in the Caribbean Region" Project - Trinidad and Tobago National Workshop.

In order to support countries of the Caribbean to capitalise on opportunities to make the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS Protocol) operational in their national jurisdictions, the UNEP in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has developed a  Caribbean Regional Project entitled "Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in countries of the Caribbean Region".  

This 3 year Project is to be implemented in 8 CARICOM countries including Trinidad and Tobago with grant funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and is being executed by the IUCN Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (ORMACC). 

Matters discussed at the Workshop included:

• ABS and the Nagoya Protocol;
• ABS in the Caribbean Region;
• The IUCN ABS Caribbean Project;
• The Project Work Plan for Trinidad and Tobago;
•  The role of National Agencies in Project Implementation 

>> For more information on the Project and the Trinidad and Tobago National Workshop visit the Nagoya Protocol Regional Project Page.

Dr. David Persaud addresses attendees at the Trinidad and Tobago National Workshop on April 28th, 2016.