Under caption “Montserrat: still here, still home, still nice”, on June 15, 2018 we published that the Organisation of East Caribbean States (OECS) revealed that this year, the much-anticipated OECS Council of Ministers of Environment Sustainability (COMES 5) will be held in this lovely island of Montserrat.
The 5th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Environmental Sustainability (COMES) of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) will take place in Montserrat from Tuesday, July 10 to 11, under the theme “Building Resilience on the Frontlines of Climate Change”.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Lands, Housing and the Environment (MATLHE) is preparing to welcome more than 40 delegates to the island, for the Meeting, which will be chaired by the Honourable Minister David Osborne who will address the opening ceremony, along with other speakers who will deliver remarks pertaining to environment and climate change issues on Montserrat and the region.
Minister Osborne noted that this year’s theme is important given the devastation experienced in the region last year. He said following last year’s catastrophic hurricane season, there is heightened awareness and drive in the region for all of us to become more resilient to these natural hazards which are influenced greatly by climate change.
The Minister further noted that this year’s theme “Accelerating Sustainable Development: Addressing Challenges and Creating Opportunities.” is important given the devastation experienced in the region last year. He said following last year’s catastrophic hurricane season, there is heightened awareness and drive in the region for all of us to become more resilient to these natural hazards which are influenced greatly by climate change. Minister Osborne further noted that the COMES5 Meeting provides an avenue for environment ministers in the region to take a unified position on matters affecting our environment.
The OECS in announcing the meeting in June said, “The COMES 5 comes at a critical juncture, given the severe economic and social impacts of the hurricanes of 2017 and will provide the forum for ministers to engage with senior technocrats and development partners and to make decisions that will advance the climate and overall environmental resilience of the region.”
As part of the meeting, the delegates will deliberate on several matters to include strengthening disaster preparedness and response coordination; The Blue and Green Economies; and Energy resilience among others.
Delegates were to begin arriving on island over this weekend and will include OECS Environment Ministers, technical officers and regional partners. It is not certain how this will evolve as due to the threat of hurricane Beryl ferry operations and flights had been suspended but are expected to resume on Monday afternoon.
