Miller Attends Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean
Hon. Vaughn P. Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, along with Permanent Secretary David Davis, Danielle Hanek, Acting Director, Forestry Unit and Arana Pyfrom, Deputy Director, Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), represented The Bahamas at The Special Session of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, held at the Prodigy Santos Dumont Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 11 and 12, 2024.
The Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean plays a key role in fostering regional collaboration on challenging issues such as climate change, desertification, and biodiversity loss which require coordinated action at both international and national levels. Current negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and efforts to create a legally binding plastic pollution treaty reflect this urgency. A key part of the XXIII Meeting emphasized strengthening regional coordination for greater influence in UNFCCC discussions, aligning with UNEA’s 2024 resolution on promoting synergies in environmental agreements.
In addition, participants were briefed by a high-level representative from the UNCCD on the key issues of discussion and the expected outcomes for COP16 in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia this coming December. Views will be exchanged on the main points of convergence identified throughout the meeting, including potential regional priorities, approaches, synergies and messages regarding climate, biodiversity, and desertification action in LAC.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources hosted a critical Pre-COP16 meeting on desertification (the process by which natural or human causes reduce the biological productivity of drylands) on September 8 and 9 at the SLS Bahamar Resort. There, countries from around the region participated in person and online to address the issue, which affects most Small ISland Developing States. There, Minister Miller called for Caribbean and Latin American countries to “speak with one voice” at COP16; and countries agreed that Ministerial presence would be critical.
While in Brazil, Minister Miller told delegates: “We must promptly take measures to mitigate the effects of these storms and reduce their impacts by taking the following steps: investing in research and innovation; supporting scientific research to better understand the causes and effects of sand and dust storms, developing innovative solutions to mitigate their impact; and enhancing our ability to predict and respond to sand and dust storms through advanced monitoring and early warning systems.
The year 2025 will begin the decade of Combating Sand and Dust Storms,
highlighting the urgent need for global action 12 as declared by The
United Nations from 2025-2034.
“We must seize this opportunity to work together, leveraging our
collective strengths to build resilience and safeguard the well-being of
our people,” Mr. Miller added.
“Let us commit to taking decisive action now to address the challenges
posed by sand and dust storms and drought. Together, we can create a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.”
Source: Felicity Darville
The post Miller Attends Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean appeared first on ZNS BAHAMAS.
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