Capacity Building Workshop on Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration

The Capacity Building Workshop for the Caribbean on Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration to support achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets was held in Belize City, Belize from April 28^th – May 2^nd, 2014.

The Workshop was convened as part of a series by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in collaboration with the Food and  Agriculture Organisation (FAO). It sought to provide support to parties in the development of national targets and plans for ecosystem conservation and restoration within the framework of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity specifically its Aichi  Biodiversity Targets 5, 11 and 15. Targets 5, 11 and 15 set quantitative global targets to reduce the loss of natural habitats, improve protected area networks and restore degraded areas.

In attendance at the Workshop were representatives from Caribbean Parties to the CBD, the  CBD  Secretariat as well as   international and regional organisations. Trinidad and Tobago was represented by Ms. Anastasia Gordon, Environmental Policy Analyst, Environmental Policy and  Planning Division and Mr. Denny Dipchansingh, Acting Director of Northern Range Reforestation Project (NRRP),  Forestry Division; both from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

L-R: Mr. Dipchansingh and Ms. Gordon engaged in one of the small group activities of  the Capacity Building Workshop in Belize ( April 28 - May 2, 2014).

 Over the duration of the five (5) day, participants gained knowledge of support available for the development of  national targets and plans for ecosystem conservation and restoration and for the integration of these targets 5, 11 and 15 into updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and mainstreaming them into broader national policies, plans and programmes. Additionally, Caribbean countries also developed capacity to use appropriate assessments, policy and planning tools to achieve ecosystem conservation and restoration at appropriate levels.

 

 

Meeting of the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention

The Bureau of the Seventh Meeting of the  Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Stockholm Convention met from the 14^th to the 15^th May 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the nine vice-presidents on the Bureau of the Stockholm Convention, and one of two (2) representatives of the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. The country was represented by Ms. Keima Gardiner, Environmental Engineering Specialist of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

Ms. Gardiner at the Bureau Meeting of the COP to the Stockholm Convention

 in Switzerland , 14 -15th May, 2014.

Bureau members, inter alia,:

•  reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its sixth  (6th) meeting which was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 28 April to 10 May, 2013 
• discussed the preparations for the seventh (7th) meeting of the Conference to be held back to back with the meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel and Rotterdam Conventions in 2015
• reviewed reports  presented on the work of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC), the development of the draft memorandum of understanding between United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention 
•  were updated on the preparations for the Joint Bureaux Meeting of the chemicals and waste conventions to be held in November, 2014
• discussed the progress of implementation of relevant decision at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) held in June, 2014 and other substantive matters such as compliance issues, synergies for the programme of work, financial resources and technical assistance.

 

 

The Draft Forestry, Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Bill is out for comment!

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has drafted enabling legislation necessary for the implementation of the National Forest, Protected Areas and Wildlife Policies. 

Stakeholders and interested members of the public are invited to review and submit comments on the Draft Forestry, Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Bill and Regulations on Flora and Fauna, Fees, Forests and Forest Resources, Protected Areas, Scientific Research Permits and Special Development Permits.

The deadline for submission of comments is May 31st, 2014. Comments can be sent to the Ministry via:

• Email:      policy.comments@gov.tt 
• Fax:         624- 2455
• Mail:        Level 26, Tower D, International Waterfront Complex, 1A Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain

To download a copy of the template form that should be used to submit comments on the Draft Bill and Regulations, click here.

>> For background information on the National Forest, Protected Areas and Wildlife Policies visit the National Clearing House Mechanism Biodiversity Website  at www.biodiversity.gov.tt.