Data Collection and Monitoring of National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators Workshop

On September 17th, 2014, the Multilateral Environmental Agreement Unit (MEAU) of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) held a Workshop with key stakeholders charged with assisting in the management of the country’s biological resources, and discharging the Government’s obligations under the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD).

Ms. Candace Amoroso chairing the Data Collection and Monitoring of  National Biodiversity

Targets  and Indicators Workshop in September, 2014.

The key stakeholders included representatives from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) of the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development, Fisheries, Agricultural Planning and Research Divisions and Aquaculture Unit of the Ministry of Food  Production, the Environmental Management Authority, Forestry Division of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources as well as the Department of the Natural Resources and the Environment, Tobago House of Assembly.

 

Through a consultative process with key stakeholders held during the period April–June, 2014 draft National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators were developed. The Targets and Indicators will allow Trinidad and Tobago to more efficiently monitor the status of and guide management and conservation interventions of the country’s biological resources and as such would greatly  contribute to the country in achieving the objectives of the CBD.

As a follow-up, the Workshop in September was undertaken to discuss and determine responsibilities for data collection and monitoring of the proposed draft National Biodiversity, which were previously refined via consultations with stakeholders in April– June, 2014.

The stakeholders were also informed that the finalised list of National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators along with the proposed list of data collectors were to be submitted to the   Cabinet of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago as the National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators of the country.

Participants discussing and determining their roles in  data collection and monitoring of

 the proposed National Biodiversity targets and indicators.

National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators Setting Workshops

Through a consultative process with key stakeholders, draft National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators were developed in alignment with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Strategic Plan and its twenty (20) Aichi Biodiversity Targets. 

Snapshots of the Biodiversity Targets and Indicators Workshops

The Targets and Indicators will allow Trinidad and Tobago to more efficiently monitor the status of and guide management and conservation interventions of the country’s biological resources  and as such would greatly contribute to the country, as a signatory to the Convention, in achieving the objectives of the CBD.

The Multilateral Environmental Agreement Unit (MEAU) of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) conducted three (3) Workshops to refine draft National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators. These Workshops were conducted on:

• April 30^th, 2014;  MEWR Head Office, Port-of-Spain - with an initial set of key stakeholders with the aim of refining the draft National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators at the 
• May 27^th, 2014; Works Conference Room, Old Government Farm Road, Tobago – with key Tobago stakeholders, to further refine the draft National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators; and on
• June 24^th, 2014; Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards, Macoya – with a wider pool of Biodiversity Focal Point Network members, to come to a consensus on the draft National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators.

This exercise was necessary to receive the input of the differing stakeholder groups on the draft National Targets as many of the Biodiversity related Agencies and Institutions would be relied on for provision of the necessary information. This would then facilitate our country’s ability to report to the CBD’s Secretariat on our achievement of the Aichi Targets. The final document that arose from these Workshops will be presented to the Cabinet as the National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators for Trinidad and Tobago.

4th National Workshop to Discuss and Endorse the NIP for Trinidad and Tobago

The fourth national stakeholder workshop for the development of the national profile for the Stockholm Convention convened on  September 11, 2013 at the Capital Plaza Hotel, from 8:30am – 4:00pm. 

The intention of the fourth of a series workshops was to update  stakeholders on the progress of the POPs Project, while engaging them in the process of endorsing the National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention. Key actions which are intended to occur over the next  five (5) years (2014 to 2018, inclusive) were recommended in this NIP project document and also indicates the timing of each action, as well as the budget requirement for each. 

These key actions included: 

• Strategic legislative actions including the enacting of local enabling legislation for the Stockholm Convention and the amendment of the negative list to include Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) consequently revising customs regulations;
• Providing technical assistance and capacity building opportunities for industries, farmers and other relevant stakeholders;
•  Investigating the effects of POPs while promoting alternatives and remediating sites contaminated by POPs;
• Implementing a public awareness and information exchange programme.

 

  >> Report on the Draft NIP Workshop Report 

 

L-R: Ms. Rosemary Lall (UNDP), Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh (Head, Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources - (MEWR)), Honorable  Minister  Senator Ganga Singh (MEWR), Ms. Vidiah Ramkhelawan (Permanent Secretary, MEWR) and Mr. Hans Schulz (Project Manager, NIP) at the fourth and final National Workshop to  Support the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention in Trinidad and Tobago hosted by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at Capital Plaza, Port of Spain.

Second Stakeholder Workshop for the Development of the National Profile for the Stockholm Convention

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, with support by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), recently hosted the Second National Stakeholder Workshop for the Development of the National Profile for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Trinidad and Tobago.

Permanent Secretary, Vidiah Ramkhelawan giving welcoming remarks on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources

As a signatory to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Trinidad and Tobago is required to prepare a National Implementation Plan (NIP) which will guide the implementation of obligations of the Convention in the country. This project commenced in September 2011 and will continue for a period of two years.

There are two major components of this project. The first component is the Socio-Economic Assessment (SEA) for management of POPs. The SEA was a complete evaluation of the potential social and economic impacts of POPs in order to provide a basis for the minimisation of the negative effects on all sectors and population groups as well as provide a baseline to measure the effectiveness of planned interventions that form part of the NIP.

The second component of the NIP project is the development of a National Profile on Chemical and Waste Management in Trinidad and Tobago. This involved a comprehensive assessment of the national capacity and infrastructure for chemical and waste management, along with gaining an understanding of the nature and extent of chemicals availability and use in the country.

Dr. George Sammy, consultant for the National Profile, presenting the results of his findings

The findings of these components formed the basis of the Second National Stakeholder Workshop. The workshop was also aimed at raising awareness amongst relevant stakeholders, assessing present national capacities and ensuring that there are unified cooperative efforts on a National scale as the project moves to completion.

A working group session on one of the discussion topics of the workshop

The Ministry wishes to thank all stakeholders who attended the workshop and looks forward to their continued support as the Project progresses. 

Presentations and Discussion Points of the Workshop:

• National Profile on Chemical and Waste Management
• SEA for the Management of POPs 
• Registration of Pesticides and Chemicals in T&T
• Role of the BCRC-Caribbean in the Implementation of the NIP
• Current Capacity for the Management of POPs in Coastal Areas
• Discussion Group Topics