Integrated Coastal and Watershed Management: The Caribbean SIDS Experience GEF 3 rd Biennial International Waters Conference Salvador, Bahia, Brazil 20 th -25 th June, 2005 Chris Corbin AMEP Programme Officer UNEP CAR/RCU

Development Framework The Challenge: Pursuit of sustainable human development in the context of: Limited and fragile natural resource base Low rates of economic growth Weak institutional capacity and rising public expectations Harsh internalities and externalities – economic, social and environmental vulnerabilities The Response: Sustainable use of watersheds and coastal areas within an integrated planning and development framework

Talking the Same Language Ridges to Reef Integrated Watershed Management Integrated Coastal Zone Management Ecosystem Management White Water to Blue Water Hilltops to Oceans SIDS - Island Systems Management

Root Problems  Multiplicity of policies, laws, institutions and jurisdictions Human Resource Deficiencies Lack of involvement of civil society/political will Lack of integration of environment into Development agenda

Why Integration? Some of the most diverse and productive resources Fishing – total potential of 3 million – 4.5 million tonnes per year Tourism Infrastructural Development Regional and Global Demands

The Positives Policies: Water Resources, Solid Waste, Hazard Mitigation, Tourism, Coastal Zone, Land Use, Housing. Legislation: Marine Pollution, Fisheries, Solid Waste, Water Resources, Physical Planning Strategies and Action Plans: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, POPS, NEAP, MTDS. National: Integrate, Implement & Enforce Regional: Coordinate, Monitor & Evaluate

Messages from the Ground Tools – Realistic, Effective and Useful Data – Decision-making Enough Talk – More Action & Viable Alternatives Focus on root causes not symptoms Effective Partnerships require: Information; Resources; Results-based approach; Flexibility; and Common Ground For Integrated Watershed and Coastal Zone Management to be effective we must adopt more holistic, integrated approaches to National Planning and Development

Making the right linkages Pollutant Reduction and Poverty Alleviation/Health Non-Point Sources and Product Standards Effluent and Service Standards (Tourism) Environmental Management and Development Planning

UNEP/UNDP/GEF IWCAM for Caribbean SIDS To strengthen the commitment and capacity to implement an integrated approach to the management of watersheds and coastal areas Regional management, coordination and implementation Technological and Management Solutions Institutional, policy and legal reforms Measurement and Monitoring using impact indicators Country Ownership - Demonstration Projects Networking, Sharing of Lessons, Replicability and Sustainability

To our Partners…….. Future Interventions must be: Aware of socio-economic and cultural realities Strategic Innovative, Flexible & Adaptive Focused on implementation Able to Build Resilience and Reduce Vulnerabilities Part of Integrated National Development Process More Inclusive of all stakeholders Monitored and Evaluated – Relevant Indicators Use/strengthen existing national and regional mechanisms

Thank You for your attention! IWCAM/GEF-IWCAM.htm