Belize
PERMANENTU MNIITSESDIO NNA OTIFO BNESLIZE TO THE
Fax: (212)T 5e9l:3 (-N2601e79w253) 2YT9oh8Er6ik-r-md,1 Na2Aie4vlw:e0 b. / YlS(z2ouur1ikn2te @)1 15b099e01l31iz1-70em99is9sion.com
THEO CPNOE BRMEMAMHATIAS NSHTLSTE.HFIEAONE .OT TN MTFE RHOR MTEI.NHR EPS NETSRTE TUUCEE SASDANTERERTANLTIHBII TNVW BASAEE.TE BRLAISVLEENSEEDS I C OL DOBOINEEFYM V OBEMFELULONIZPIETMYENT
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of Member States of the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) who are Members of the United Nations. CARICOM
aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China
(G-77) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
The importance of an integrated approach to the management of water,
sanitation and human settlements for countries as those in the CARICOM cannot
be overstated. This is particularly true because of our size. Every action in
pursuit of development has impact on and implication for the sustainable
development of every other sector and the interdependence of these sectors
heightens our vulnerability.
In the case of CARICOM countries, major urban centres with industrial and
commercial activity are located principally in coastal zones. Tourism
development, the mainstay of many Caribbean economies, is also concentrated
in coastal areas. This has increased rural to urban migration along coastlines.
The vulnerability of these urban coasts has been exacerbated by population
growth. Indeed, the Caribbean is the most urbanized island region in the world,
with an urban population that grew an average of 1.58 percent annually from
1995 to 2000, and a significant number of our countries are already
predominantly urban.
The trend towards urbanization provides additional pressures on the environment
and increases vulnerability to natural hazards, particularly among the poor.
Deterioration and 'malfunction of the municipal water supply, poor maintenance
and overstressed distribution systems have created added problems in water
resources management in urban areas.
In most cases urban expansion inevitably implies unplanned spread beyond the
urban fence onto lands important for agriculture or protection of the watershed.
Unplanned, informal settlements in the hinterlands, populated mainly by the poor,
invariably lack the requisite sanitation infrastructure. Improper disposal of waste
has inevitably led to pollution of the water table in many instances, thus
freshwater supply. Unplanned settlements in the peri-urban areas also has
resulted in encroachment on protected watershed areas, which has diminished
water retention capacity of the soil, and thus negatively impacted freshwater
flows.
For CARICOM Member States, therefore, the inability to meet the challenge of
providing adequate sanitation services has often resulted in increased pollution
of the coastal waters vital to the economic viability of our islands. At the same
time, unplanned urban spread, often onto unstable hillsides has resulted in
increased deforestation, watershed depreciation, reduced river flow, the
undermining of water catchment areas and the pollution of water tables. The
combined impact of this is the heightening of the vulnerability of our countries,
with the potential for disaster increased in the wake of extreme weather events.
CARICOM Member States therefore strongly share the view that it is impossible
to pursue effective management of these sectors without a comprehensive
strategy to address the needs of the poor, both urban and rural. Of course there
are times when even the best plans and preparation cannot avert disaster.
Witness the plight of our sister island Grenada, which last year saw more than
90% of its housing stock destroyed by hurricane.
CARICOM further supports, within the fashioning of urban development
strategies and sustainable land-use policies, the integration of risk management
interventions that address critical threats. More attention must be given to
programmes for housing the poor. This remains a formidable financial challenge.
Our countries have made efforts to establish solid waste entities, enact and
update legislation, improve waste storage and collection, upgrade existing
dumps, construct new sanitary landfills, conduct training and introduce new and
strengthen existing environmental education programmes. Some countries have
also developed solid waste management policies as part of system development,
and have also influenced the upgrading of systems by private contractors on the
collection systems. National recycling initiatives have been hampered by
financial constraints, limited availability of reliable markets, absence of incentive
and disincentive programmes and limited scope for economies of scale.
In addition to being state parties to the various international conventions that
address the sustainable development of water, CARICOM Member States have
also sought to improve the legal, policy and institutional framework for water
resources management. There is need to improve the Decision Support
Systems within the water sector so as to improve the availability of data on water
resources generally and on water and climate in particular.
There is also need for comprehensive training programmes in water resources
management. The implementation of national policies and legislation is often
constrained by the absence of institutional capacity and appropriate expertise.
CARICOM Member States join the call for increased financial support,
particularly where the investment of appropriate technology for more effective
water resources management is concerned. We reiterate our request for further
exploration of the possible use of regional development banks as facilitators for
technology acquisition and transfer. In this regard, some CARICOM Member
States have begun exploring the advantages of integrating water resources
management with energy services.
Continued attention must be given to the development of national policies for
freshwater and waste management. There is also need to review outdated
legislation and to strengthen the enforcement of laws regarding water resources
management. Improved legislation will also facilitate greater collaboration
between the private sector and the public to participate in freshwater and
wastewater management.
CARICOM Member States advocate for the engagement of civil society in any
strategy to advance more effective water resources and waste management.
Support for public awareness programmes is very necessary. There is much
scope for collaboration among local communities, the public and private sector.
The Mauritius International Meeting mapped the path to be taken to
comprehensively address these critical issues within the broader framework of
the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) and the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation, and within the context of the MDGs. CARICOM Member States
believe that the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) is the
appropriate forum within which critical assessment and ongoing monitoring of the
Mauritius Strategy for the further implementation of the BPOA must be
undertaken.
CARICOM Member States therefore reaffirm the request of the Chair of AOSIS
to have time designated within the review sessions of CSD for consideration of
progress toward and or challenges to the implementation of the Mauritius
Strategy and in the context of the specific thematic cluster under CSD
consideration. This opportunity should also afford space for review of major
initiatives impacting small island developing states.
Thank you.
Fax: (212)T 5e9l:3 (-N2601e79w253) 2YT9oh8Er6ik-r-md,1 Na2Aie4vlw:e0 b. / YlS(z2ouur1ikn2te @)1 15b099e01l31iz1-70em99is9sion.com
THEO CPNOE BRMEMAMHATIAS NSHTLSTE.HFIEAONE .OT TN MTFE RHOR MTEI.NHR EPS NETSRTE TUUCEE SASDANTERERTANLTIHBII TNVW BASAEE.TE BRLAISVLEENSEEDS I C OL DOBOINEEFYM V OBEMFELULONIZPIETMYENT
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of Member States of the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) who are Members of the United Nations. CARICOM
aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China
(G-77) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
The importance of an integrated approach to the management of water,
sanitation and human settlements for countries as those in the CARICOM cannot
be overstated. This is particularly true because of our size. Every action in
pursuit of development has impact on and implication for the sustainable
development of every other sector and the interdependence of these sectors
heightens our vulnerability.
In the case of CARICOM countries, major urban centres with industrial and
commercial activity are located principally in coastal zones. Tourism
development, the mainstay of many Caribbean economies, is also concentrated
in coastal areas. This has increased rural to urban migration along coastlines.
The vulnerability of these urban coasts has been exacerbated by population
growth. Indeed, the Caribbean is the most urbanized island region in the world,
with an urban population that grew an average of 1.58 percent annually from
1995 to 2000, and a significant number of our countries are already
predominantly urban.
The trend towards urbanization provides additional pressures on the environment
and increases vulnerability to natural hazards, particularly among the poor.
Deterioration and 'malfunction of the municipal water supply, poor maintenance
and overstressed distribution systems have created added problems in water
resources management in urban areas.
In most cases urban expansion inevitably implies unplanned spread beyond the
urban fence onto lands important for agriculture or protection of the watershed.
Unplanned, informal settlements in the hinterlands, populated mainly by the poor,
invariably lack the requisite sanitation infrastructure. Improper disposal of waste
has inevitably led to pollution of the water table in many instances, thus
freshwater supply. Unplanned settlements in the peri-urban areas also has
resulted in encroachment on protected watershed areas, which has diminished
water retention capacity of the soil, and thus negatively impacted freshwater
flows.
For CARICOM Member States, therefore, the inability to meet the challenge of
providing adequate sanitation services has often resulted in increased pollution
of the coastal waters vital to the economic viability of our islands. At the same
time, unplanned urban spread, often onto unstable hillsides has resulted in
increased deforestation, watershed depreciation, reduced river flow, the
undermining of water catchment areas and the pollution of water tables. The
combined impact of this is the heightening of the vulnerability of our countries,
with the potential for disaster increased in the wake of extreme weather events.
CARICOM Member States therefore strongly share the view that it is impossible
to pursue effective management of these sectors without a comprehensive
strategy to address the needs of the poor, both urban and rural. Of course there
are times when even the best plans and preparation cannot avert disaster.
Witness the plight of our sister island Grenada, which last year saw more than
90% of its housing stock destroyed by hurricane.
CARICOM further supports, within the fashioning of urban development
strategies and sustainable land-use policies, the integration of risk management
interventions that address critical threats. More attention must be given to
programmes for housing the poor. This remains a formidable financial challenge.
Our countries have made efforts to establish solid waste entities, enact and
update legislation, improve waste storage and collection, upgrade existing
dumps, construct new sanitary landfills, conduct training and introduce new and
strengthen existing environmental education programmes. Some countries have
also developed solid waste management policies as part of system development,
and have also influenced the upgrading of systems by private contractors on the
collection systems. National recycling initiatives have been hampered by
financial constraints, limited availability of reliable markets, absence of incentive
and disincentive programmes and limited scope for economies of scale.
In addition to being state parties to the various international conventions that
address the sustainable development of water, CARICOM Member States have
also sought to improve the legal, policy and institutional framework for water
resources management. There is need to improve the Decision Support
Systems within the water sector so as to improve the availability of data on water
resources generally and on water and climate in particular.
There is also need for comprehensive training programmes in water resources
management. The implementation of national policies and legislation is often
constrained by the absence of institutional capacity and appropriate expertise.
CARICOM Member States join the call for increased financial support,
particularly where the investment of appropriate technology for more effective
water resources management is concerned. We reiterate our request for further
exploration of the possible use of regional development banks as facilitators for
technology acquisition and transfer. In this regard, some CARICOM Member
States have begun exploring the advantages of integrating water resources
management with energy services.
Continued attention must be given to the development of national policies for
freshwater and waste management. There is also need to review outdated
legislation and to strengthen the enforcement of laws regarding water resources
management. Improved legislation will also facilitate greater collaboration
between the private sector and the public to participate in freshwater and
wastewater management.
CARICOM Member States advocate for the engagement of civil society in any
strategy to advance more effective water resources and waste management.
Support for public awareness programmes is very necessary. There is much
scope for collaboration among local communities, the public and private sector.
The Mauritius International Meeting mapped the path to be taken to
comprehensively address these critical issues within the broader framework of
the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) and the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation, and within the context of the MDGs. CARICOM Member States
believe that the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) is the
appropriate forum within which critical assessment and ongoing monitoring of the
Mauritius Strategy for the further implementation of the BPOA must be
undertaken.
CARICOM Member States therefore reaffirm the request of the Chair of AOSIS
to have time designated within the review sessions of CSD for consideration of
progress toward and or challenges to the implementation of the Mauritius
Strategy and in the context of the specific thematic cluster under CSD
consideration. This opportunity should also afford space for review of major
initiatives impacting small island developing states.
Thank you.
Stakeholders