Each year the United Nations via the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) marks June 5th as World Environment Day (WED). Every year a different theme is highlighted and a different country acts as host to the celebrations.
By RuthMoisa Stoute
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has expressed his dissatisfaction with the level of attention being given by international bodies to matters of urgency for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), such as those found within the Caribbean, and is calling for early agreement to unresolved issues that would help such states chart a better path towards sustainable development in the face of their “many inherent vulnerabilities”.
“We cannot tax or borrow our way out of our current situation; nor will such actions place us on a sustainable path of growth and further development.”
This was the clear statement coming from Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss, as he stressed that an increase in the export of goods and services would be a critical driving force for the region to pull itself out of the economic crisis.
WASHINGTON, DC, United States (CMC) —The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) said the number of dengue cases in the Americas, including the Caribbean, increased five-fold between 2003 and 2013.
According to data presented at a recent high-level regional meeting on dengue, hosted by PAHO, between 2009 and 2012, over one million cases were reported annually, on average, with more than 33,900 severe cases and 835 deaths.
Small Island Development States (SIDS) were praised during the yesterday’s Global Celebration of World Environment Day 2014 for the front line position they have taken to fight the disastrous effects of climate change. Barbados had the opportunity to be in the spotlight as host to the international event attended by officials from the United Nations System, Secretary General of CARICOM Ambassador, Irwin La Roque, and regional Prime Ministers.
Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 05, 2014 (SKNIS): An eighteen month programme which targets the safety of youth in schools and communities is a new initiative between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.
At a recently held National Consultation and Launch of the CARICOM – Spain Citizen Security Project, Ionie Liburd-Willet, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Information, welcomed the initiative and spoke on the issue of youth violence.
It’s not about freedom of speech, nor academic freedom. It’s about fighting HIV/Aids through a comprehensive approach which includes granting human rights to all groups in society. This was the view of several stakeholders in the campaign against HIV/Aids in the Caribbean as they weighed in on the controversial firing of Trinidad-born academic Prof Brendan Bain by UWI, Mona.
What triggered the controversy?
JAMAICA recently played host to government officials as well as scientific and legal experts from across Caricom to discuss the need for an international agreement dedicated to systematic ocean conservation and the sustainable use of areas beyond the jurisdiction of national governments.
CASTRIES, St Lucia (GIS) -- Officials at the ministry of health in Saint Lucia are aiming to reduce mosquito populations in order to curb the increasing spread of chikungunya.
Already, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has 500 confirmed cases of chikungunya in the Caribbean, with 20 in Saint Lucia. Officials warn that these cases are not truly reflective of the actual number of those who have contracted the virus and that, because there is no vaccine and no cure for chikungunya, everyone is at risk.
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) distributed the first set of the books from its inaugural book drive during May 2014 with presentations to the students of the West Terrace and St. Stephen’s Primary Schools. During the first presentation at West Terrace, Ms. JoEllen Laryea Caribbean Export’s PR and Communications Advisor, stressed the importance of reading for the cultivation of creative and critical thought as well as effective communication skills.