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Statement For World Environment Day 2023 from the Prime Minister

Every year, we join people across the planet in commemorating World Environment Day on June 5. This is a day where we especially highlight the need for transformative changes to policies and choices that enable cleaner, greener, and more sustainable living. We need to make transformative changes that help us live in harmony with nature, and shift to a more conscious approach to our economic and trade policies.

Yes, we celebrate this day and amplify its important message. But as Barbadians, the truth is that each day serves as an environment day for us. With the rising sea levels impacting our island, from Six Men’s to Silver Sands, worsening quantities of Sargassum Seaweed blanketing our shores, and the days and nights getting warmer, we know and feel the effects of the Climate Crisis in our nation.

On April 9, 2021, La Soufriere, which had been dormant since 1979, erupted in St Vincent and the Grenadines. In Barbados, we were impacted by the thick clouds of smoke and ash. Mere weeks later, on June 17, we were impacted by a freak storm and three months later, Hurricane Elsa became the first major hurricane to hit the country since 1955, impacting homes, destroying crops, damaging livestock in the hundreds of thousands and resulting in damage in excess of US $35 million.

In just three months, we all saw first-hand the way the world had changed, and the need to respond in a comprehensive manner. Under our Roofs to Reefs Programme, we started the Home Ownership Providing Energy (H.O.P.E) initiative, providing affordable and climate resilient homes for our citizens, harnessing solar energy to power homes, reducing the dependence on immediate power restoration after a power outage, and reducing overall electricity costs.

With hurricane straps being made available to low-middle income earners, the Government intends to make the housing stock of Barbados resilient to the impending threat of natural disasters. The Barbados Water Authority has initiated the Water Sector Resilience Nexus for Sustainability Programme to help tackle the challenges faced by lower water reserves and longer periods without rainfall.

Meanwhile, Mission 1 of Declaration of Mission Barbados asserts that by 2030, Barbados will be a clean and beautiful large-ocean state, championing sustainable development locally and globally – with the goal of all domestic activities becoming 100 per cent sustainable by 2035.

This social compact establishes consensus that we cannot do it alone and must work together, foster commitment, distribute leadership and share responsibility for achieving the missions. In 1972, when the motto for the Stockholm Conference was “Only One Earth”, our earth was a very different place. 

More than 50 years on, however, this statement is as important as ever. This planet is our only home. This year’s campaign for World Environment Day 2023, “Beat Plastic Pollution”, calls on all parties in the distribution and supply chain to support the reduction of plastic waste in our oceans.

The good news is, we have already started this journey to beat plastic pollution. In January 2020, the Control of Disposable Plastics Act came into effect. Barbados banned the importation, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic containers, cutlery, straws and the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale and use of plastic bags made with a petroleum-based resin. This was only a small step in the fight to beat plastic pollution.

Unfortunately, the Sustainable Development Goal dedicated to our oceans SDG 14 – Life Below Water, is the least funded of all the goals. UNCTAD’s latest Trade and Environment Review 2023 revealed that only 1.6 per cent of development funding has been allocated to the ocean economy between 2013 and 2018, “far below the amount required to address the ocean crisis. 

What’s required is a global “Blue Deal” to invest in safeguarding marine resources and building a resilient ocean economy that benefits all”. If the global community seeks to seriously address issues of plastic pollution, environmentally hazardous materials and climate change, equitable access to finance is the only solution to achieve this.

More must be done and can be done through the execution of the Bridgetown Initiative 2.0 and implementation of debt-for-nature projects. The Caribbean islands are not net producers of carbon emissions, yet we are asked to contribute to the global reduction of greenhouse gases on par with advanced countries with robust economies. 

Small economies simply cannot maintain the levels of sustainable socioeconomic development required by international organisations whilst increasing resilience to exogenous challenges, natural disasters, and climate change, without the appropriate funding.

For Barbadians, World Environment Day means more than an annual theme to raise awareness. It is a daily reality of the need to protect our planet through responsible consumption and production practices and creating an even playing field for sustainable economic development to occur.

Happy World Environment Day! Together, let us “Beat Plastic Pollution”, but more importantly, let us continue to champion the Sustainable Development Goals, continue the path to Mission Barbados, and create the best environment for all calling Barbados home.(PR/GIS)

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Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio. 

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities. 

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community.  For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on. 

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph

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