Inter-Ministerial and Experts meeting on the Caribbean MAB

1. Inter-Ministerial and Experts meeting on the Caribbean MAB MAB - challenges and potential 26 March 2013 H.E. Dr David P. Doyle, Permanent Delegate of St. Kitts-Nevis to UNESCO

2. St. Kitts and Nevis – a partnership with UNESCO in combating climate change Joined Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (2011) ■ Hosted Ministerial and experts conference “Climate Change Adaptation in the Caribbean” organized by UNESCO (March 2011) ■ Issued Draft Resolution at UNESCO General Conference: “Climate Change: mitigation and adaptation policy development and implementation in the Caribbean region” (November 2011): - implement intergovernmental Oceangraphic-led climate observation & early-warning systems - launch Caribbean-regional wide Scientific Community on climate change impacts - promote education for sustainable development ■ Created 1st Caribbean region Man & Biosphere Reserve (June 2011) □ Extending our initiatives across the English-speaking Caribbean

3. 38 small island states in UNESCO – 20% of the membership One of the 7 UNESCO objectives 2014-2021 of the medium-term strategy: mainstreaming specific interventions in relation to youth, LDCs, small island developing states (SIDS) and the most marginalized social groups Dedicated SIDS work programme and regionalized initiatives Focus on youth, sustainable development, education, climate change (adaptation & mitigation), heritage preservation in the English-speaking Caribbean Biosphere Reserves – and its importance to SIDS

4. Man & Biosphere Programme one of the 3 central biodiversity themes of expertise promoted by UNESCO Embedded in the Barbados Programme of Action (1994) and the Mauritius Strategy (2005) for Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS UNESCO - the leading UN agency contributing to the implementation of the Barbados and Mauritius action plans. Special emphasis on biodiversity resources and supporting the indigenous peoples and recognizing the value of their knowledge systems – both critical elements of MAB Preserving biodiversity – priority as a unique UNESCO expertise

5. UNESCO-designated and affiliated Biosphere Reserve sites serve as examples of, and learning laboratories, for sustainable development and climate change adaptation. MAB reserve sites – through their national committees – provide the scientific and institutional frameworks to ensure UNESCO inputs in the post-2015 development agenda, and UNESCO medium-term strategy MAB supports strengthening of international science cooperation for sustainability and social inclusion

6. Climate change and sea-level rise Natural and environmental disasters Management of wastes Coastal and marine resources Freshwater resources Land resources Energy resources Tourism resources Biodiversity resources Transport and communication, including the development of ICTs and community multimedia centres Science and technology Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development National and regional enabling environments, including involving youth in visioning sustainable island living Health, including support to address HIV/AIDS Knowledge management and information for decision-making Culture, including recognition of the importance of protecting and promoting cultural identity in advancing sustainable development Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS

7. Hazardous territory – half of the 25 most disaster-prone countries are SIDS Harnessing natural forces - capacity-building elements, ie, geothermal energy, renewable energy innovation… Rising seas – coastal erosion – but are we mis-estimating the cost of building sea defences when more intense rainfall events causes inland flooding rather than coastal flooding? “Fresh” Water challenges – accessing and managing freshwater sources – experience in attachments and communities involvement and groundwater pollution Sustainable living and developments – involvement of local people, their knowledge on approaches to conservation and sustainable living on a local scale – a key driving force. Marine Protected Areas – recognizing and protecting marine World Heritage values in the Caribbean The role of UNESCO – technical expertise and support, mapping of biodiversity hotspots MAB reserves best practice available – Federation states of Micronesia, Palau, US Virgin Islands, Dominica, Cape Verde Climate change – mitigating the effects on SIDS …and using MAB sites as a vector of research, preservation and innovation

8. Strengthened use of UNESCO de-centralized capacities in implementing the Mauritius Strategy – through Man & Biosphere Seek ratification of UNESCO Draft Resolution on extending MAB to Caribbean SIDS (November 2013 General Conference) Getting on board - The MAB governing body - International Co-ordinating Council (ICC) of the Man and the Biosphere Programme - 34 Member States elected by UNESCO's biennial General Conference. Participate in the periodic review reports of biosphere reserves via the ICC More targeted and effective use of the Participation Programme – a key resource for SIDS Identification of key themes linked to MAB reserves – climate change, island heritage, disaster mitigation, fauna & flora conservation Cuban Amazon in the Grand Cayman islands, but extinction looms across the Caribbean Some thoughts on going forward and influencing the agenda

9. Join the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves (UNESCO MAB Programme) Two technical headquarters coordinate the network: - island of Jeju (Republic of Korea) focuses on climate change issues - Menorca (Spain) specializes in sustainable development. Members Jeju Island Menorca Shinan Dadohae St Kitts & Nevis Yakushima Komandorskiye Islands Nanji Islands Siberut Islands Palawan Juan Fernandez Islands Islands of the Gulf of California, Lanzarote Fuerteventura Gran Canaria, La Palma, Madeira (Santana) World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves -another added virtue

10. Involve rural youth at the MAB site in natural and cultural heritage tourism and other income-generating initiatives Develop programme to encourage hotels to source food from local MAB reserve farmers, and by doing so keeping the tourist income within the community and supporting farmer's efforts to diversify their crops. Explore prospects for biodiversity conservation in the Caribbean Islands via development of partnerships between major industries, such as tourism, and the governmental and private organizations that are promoting conservation on the ground. Some thoughts on going forward and influencing the agenda – at local level

11. Linking Biosphere Reserves and local initiatives ■Certified local products, ie, handicraft, agricultural produce ■ Eco-tourism ■Educational activities: interface between - biodiversity - natural resources - importance of preservation and sustainability ■ Intangible cultural heritage

13. ■ St. Mary’s MAB Reserve, Saint Kitts and Nevis ■Important site in terms of biological diversity, comprising cloud forests, mangroves and coral reefs. ■Represents one of the most diverse natural communities on St. Kitts: the marine area and beaches near Canada, Keys and Cayon and the surrounding tropical forests of the mountain ridgeline. ■ Constitutes one of the first Biosphere Reserves of the small Caribbean island countries ■Serves as an example of village participation in preserving the outstanding mosaic of natural and cultural landscape values. ■ Contributes to promoting innovative approaches to economic development that is socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable for a small island developing states Man and Biosphere – a tool to address challenges facing St. Kitts-Nevis and beyond…

14. Contact Dr. David P. Doyle • Permanent Delegate of St. Kitts-Nevis to UNESCO Email: dl.st-kitts&nevis@unesco-delegations.org Tel: + 33-628-69-40-40