Partnerships crucial for water sustainability – CARICOM ASG
As the world observes International Water Day on March 22, 2015, Assistant Secretary-General, Directorate of Human and Social Development, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Dr. Douglas Slater, has underscored the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable water management.
In a message to mark the occasion, Dr. Slater noted that partnerships remained one of the means of implementation needed to achieve water sustainability.
Partnerships are crucial as water cuts across levels of authority, disciplines and interest groups. Therefore, as national development decisions are being made, a multi-disciplinary approach must be taken to ensure a sustainable and secured future for water.”[su_box title=”World Water Day” style=”soft” box_color=”#54c0f0″]In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March as the first World Water Day. World Water Day is a day to celebrate water. It’s a day to make a difference for the members of the global population who suffer from water related issues. It’s a day to prepare for how we manage water in the future. [/su_box]
The very survival of humanity hinges upon identifying priorities to improve the management of the world’s water resources. The Caribbean Community is committed to working in the spirit of cooperation and partnership to search for the urgent solutions needed to secure water for future generations,” Dr. Slater stated.
He expressed concerns about the impact of climate variability on water resources in the Region which was evident when CARICOM Member States experienced prolonged droughts in 2014 that severely affected agricultural production and water availability for domestic and industrial uses, including hydro power generation.
Climate change will continue to have serious implications for water resources in the Region. Of great concern is extreme weather events, causing floods, droughts, and impacting severely on agriculture, food security and the prosperity of the Region.”
This creeping drought phenomenon, he added, has strengthened the Community’s commitment to continue efforts to highlight the importance of water management at the national and Regional levels.
Dr. Slater issued a call for individuals to be responsible in observing strict water conservation practices by eliminating wastage and reporting leaks to relevant authorities. At the Regional level, he noted that the recently concluded 53rd Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Environment and Sustainable Development had also issued a call for CARICOM Member States to treat water resource management as an area of critical importance.
To commemorate World Water Day, the CARICOM Secretariat mounted an exhibition that demonstrated the use of a reverse osmosis system for water filtration; an aquaponics demonstration modeling a sustainable agriculture method that integrates hydroponic (plant) and aquaculture (animal) for production of leafy salad crops, and herbs. The exhibition also featured the display of publications related to water and water sustainability as well as an artistic demonstration of water conservation and harvesting for domestic uses.
Please see link for video here