{"id":2466,"date":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-14T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gwpo-gwp.org\/caribbean\/news\/caribbean-water-ministers-agree-to-dedicate-efforts-to-strengthen-the-sector\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T14:59:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T13:59:59","slug":"caribbean-water-ministers-agree-to-dedicate-efforts-to-strengthen-the-sector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gwpo-gwp.org\/caribbean\/news\/caribbean-water-ministers-agree-to-dedicate-efforts-to-strengthen-the-sector\/","title":{"rendered":"Caribbean Water Ministers Agree to Dedicate Efforts to Strengthen the Sector"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 11th<\/sup> HLF which took place under the theme \u201cConnecting Water to Climate, Economic Growth and Development within the Post-2015 Development Agenda\u201d<\/em> sought to build on the recommendations arising out of the 2014 Forum. One of these key proposals included the engagement of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) about the discussions coming out of last year\u2019s Forum in an effort to present these recommendations to CARICOM\u2019s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to ensure that water is represented as a critical portfolio in the work of the region.<\/p>\n

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The 11th<\/sup> HLF saw the participation of Caribbean Water Ministers or designated representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. Moreover the Forum saw the participation of CARICOM with Dr. Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary-General of Human and Social Development of CARICOM as the Meeting\u2019s keynote speaker.<\/p>\n

Dr. Slater in his keynote address to Ministers, senior government officials and representatives from various Caribbean agencies in the water and wastewater sectors stressed CARICOM\u2019s pleasure in participating to share perspectives of the CARICOM Secretariat and the region on the critical issue of water in the Caribbean in the context of the sustainable development of the region, and in particular, the Post-2015 Development Agenda.<\/p>\n

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He highlighted the importance of water as a natural resource is among the priority areas of the CARICOM Strategic Plan. According to Dr. Slater \u201cthere has been some progress, with a number of Member States implementing different levels of adjustment with regard to the governance of water resources management. However, he stated that there is still need for a comprehensive review of policies and action related to water resource management in the region, taking into account the various international political commitments.<\/p>\n

According to Dr. Slater, \u201can important requirement to facilitate success is an improved system of data collection so that informed scientific information is used for policy development.\u201d He therefore urged Caribbean Water Ministers at the 11th<\/sup> HLF to explore the need to support greater capacity building in data management in their respective countries. He also pressed that they work with the relevant stakeholders in determination of clear targets to be aimed at with respect to water management. He also emphasised developing effective strategies to mobilise resources to address the many challenges of water management in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n

The 11th <\/sup>HLF was forward-looking with a goal of producing concrete outcomes and harmonised recommendations to guide national and regional efforts in operationalising water, wastewater and climate goals and targets for sustainable development.<\/p>\n

Informing the resulting recommendations of the 11th<\/sup> HLF were in-depth discussions and presentations from Ministers and representatives from various regional agencies on:<\/p>\n