OECS and Caribaea Initiative to Collaborate on Biodiversity
CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The St. Lucia-based Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission Monday said it has formalised a new partnership with the Caribaea Initiative to strengthen biodiversity research, conservation, education and scientific capacity across the Eastern Caribbean.
It said that the The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which came into effect on August 27, this year, establishes a framework through which the OECS will collaborate with the Caribaea Initiative to advance research, education and conservation efforts in biodiversity and wildlife management across OECS Member States.
The MoU will remain in effect for an initial period of two years and may be renewed by mutual agreement. Specific activities arising from the partnership will be developed through separate cooperation agreements or other implementing arrangements between the organisations.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS, and Nicole Herbert, President of the Caribaea Initiative.
Caribaea Initiative is the only international organisation dedicated to the scientific study and conservation of Caribbean biodiversity. Beyond its intrinsic value, biodiversity is key to a number of ecosystem services required by significant economic sectors, including agriculture and tourism.
The OECS Commission said that biodiversity is of critical importance to the sub-regional grouping, underpinning healthy ecosystems and supporting livelihoods and sustainable development across the region.
“At the same time, the region’s natural resources face increasing pressures, reinforcing the need for sustained investment in conservation, scientific research and stronger environmental management.”
The OECS Commission said that the agreement represents another step in the 12-member groupings’ continuing efforts to conserve the region’s biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of its ecosystems. Through regional programmes, partnerships and policy initiatives, the OECS continues to advance collective action to safeguard Member States’ natural heritage for present and future generations.
Under the MoU, the OECS and the Caribaea Initiative will collaborate on scientific studies of native and alien species, ecosystems and habitats of regional importance, with research findings potentially helping to inform conservation and policy decisions in Member States.
The partnership will also support capacity building and education, including training programmes and scholarships, while strengthening tertiary and vocational education in conservation biology and environmental management. Public education and community engagement will form another important component, with both organisations seeking to raise awareness and encourage community-led stewardship of biodiversity.
Other areas of cooperation include providing scientific and technical support for evidence-based environmental policies; integrating biodiversity protection with climate change adaptation and ecosystem resilience; strengthening regional biodiversity data systems; and increasing scientific publications produced by Caribbean-based and affiliated researchers.
The collaboration builds on the complementary mandates of the two entities. The OECS promotes regional integration and functional cooperation among its member states, including cooperation in environmental sustainability, education and research for sustainable development, while the Caribaea Initiative is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing biodiversity research and conservation across the Caribbean.
