PYEONGCHANG, Republic of Korea, Oct 15, 2014, CNS – The St. Vincent and the Grenadines CDB Focal Point at the 12th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 12) being held here from Oct. 6-17, is pleased with the progress made so far.
Todd Lewis told Caribbean News Service (CNS) positions are being taken on a daily basis on several issues of importance to the Caribbean.
“Some of the agenda items being looked at keenly include resource mobilisation, financial mechanisms, marine and coastal ecosystems, Invasive Alien Species while other agenda items such as synthetic biology has caused much contention to many Parties especially those in the Developing world,” Lewis said.
However, he said from a country perspective, St. Vincent and the Grenadines had clear positions on agenda items of interest such as Invasive Alien Species, coastal and marine ecosystems and resource mobilisation, which are important for the country's development.
Lewis said conservation and protection of biodiversity is key to the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“Biodiversity and sustainable development are of extreme importance to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. By extension it is very important worldwide as in highlighted in this year’s theme for the COP12, Biodiversity for Sustainable Development,” Lewis, who serves as Senior Environmental Health Officer, told CNS.
“As a Small Island Developing State which depends heavily on the tourism and agricultural sectors, biodiversity plays s major role. The approach taken is a concept of ‘ridge to reef’ where everything is interlinked from the mountain to the seas.
“Destroying biodiversity will ultimately hamper the sustainable development of the country because as Vincentians the available resources are what we depend on for the betterment of the country. Without that synergy between nature and development, things become difficult and once there is no balance then the country is susceptible to different environmental hazards,” Lewis added.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is home to numerous discrete ecosystems, from mountain forests to wetlands and beyond, that provide food, fresh water, wood, fibre, medicines, fuel, tools and other important raw materials, in addition to aesthetic, spiritual, educational and recreational values, that support island livelihoods, economies and cultures.
CNS/db/2014
