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Study Tour for Environmental Stakeholders

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#Jamaica, August 17, 2017 – Kingston – The Climate Change Division (CCD) of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation will be leading a study tour to the Wigton Windfarm and the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM) on Friday, August 18, in an effort to sensitize environmental stakeholders to the day-to-day operations of the facilities.

The tour, which is also aimed at highlighting ways in which the facilities contribute positively to the country’s climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, will be done by representatives of the Division and the Meteorological Service of Jamaica as well as officers of the Ministry.

Senior Technical Officer with responsibility for Mitigation at the CCD, Omar Alcock, said this tour, the first of several to be done throughout the year, is significant, as it fills the gap between the administrative and theoretical aspects of climate change adaptation efforts and the practical side.

“So, a part of the tour is to get a visual of exactly what is happening on the ground. I am sure that, through this, persons will now become more familiar with the work taking place.   A lot of times we do presentations, go to meetings and do the administrative part of it, but this is to actually get an appreciation of what is happening,” he said in an interview with JIS News.

Wigton Windfarm Ltd, the largest wind energy facility in the English-speaking Caribbean, is located in Rose Hill, Manchester, and currently comprises three plants – the 20.7-megawatt Wigton I, which began operating in 2004; Wigton II, an 18-megawatt extension facility that was commissioned in 2010; and Wigton III, the 24-megawatt expansion, commissioned in 2016.    C-CAM, located in Salt River, Clarendon, was established in 1997 to promote coastal conservation in Jamaica.

The tour will feature a resource centre developed in 2015, which includes a library and teaching area for persons interested in learning about the environment, Jamaica’s endemic species and national adaptation and conservation efforts.

Mr. Alcock said budgeting officers from the Ministry’s Finance Department will also be included in the tour to help foster a greater appreciation for the work being done, in order to more adequately treat with certain accounting items relating to the environment.

The tour will include presentations and discussions outlining the effectiveness and achievements of the facilities and how they contribute to conservation of the environment.   This is a follow-up to a recent workshop by the CCD with budgeting officers of the ministries, departments and agencies aimed at highlighting the importance of including climate change-related matters in their budgets and clearly identifying instances where it is included.

Upcoming study tours will include a visit to WRB Energy, a solar farm facility in Content, Clarendon, as well as one of the country’s hydroelectric power plants.

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Barbados recognizes Palestine as sovereign

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

Barbados has made a huge diplomatic move, recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state, as announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kerrie Symmonds, according to a report from CBC News Barbados on Saturday April 20. This now aligns Barbados with other UN Member states which also recognise Palestine.

 

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Caribbean News

Haiti death toll rises

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

Haiti’s death toll is now up 53 percent with more than 2,500 people killed from January through March 2024, compared to the same time last year. This was reported by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH),  on Friday April 19. The organization expressed that gangs have changed their tactics, now targeting public institutions and important infrastructure such as the main Airport. Most of the violence is reportedly in the Capital Port Au Prince.

 

 

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U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS SHINES AS A PREMIER DESTINATION AT THE 2024 SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL CONFERENCE

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St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) –April 11, 2024—The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, led by Commissioner Joseph Boschulte, Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman, and Deputy Commissioner RoseAnne Farrington, traveled to Miami, Florida, to support Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and other local partners agencies for the 2024 Seatrade Cruise Global Conference.
To kick off the week-long event, the Department of Tourism sponsored the highly anticipated Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) barbecue, which was hosted by Governor Bryan.
Revered as a steady leader in the Caribbean tourism industry, the USVI delegation, which also included the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Port Authority, West Indian Company Limited, Magens Bay Authority, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Government Employee Retirement System, showcased the territory and its growing accessibility around the cruise industry to key operators and businesses.
“Cruise has been and continues to be a leading entryway for visitors into the territory, and Seatrade allows representatives from the USVI to interface with and share pertinent updates needed to continue fostering positive relationships throughout the industry,” explains Commissioner Boschulte.
Commissioner Boschulte was featured on the Caribbean Spotlight panel moderated by renowned industry leader and FCCA CEO Michelle Paige, who referenced the Commissioner being named the 2023 Caribbean Tourism Executive of the Year by Caribbean Journal and shared how exceptional the publication’s acknowledgment of his accolades are. Paige referenced Caribbean Journal’s spotlight paragraph reading, “No Caribbean destination has seen more growth in the last three years than the U.S. Virgin Islands, which kicked off a full-fledged tourism renaissance just after the onset of the pandemic and hasn’t looked back. And so much of that growth can be directly tied to the expert stewardship of Boschulte, who helped craft an innovative, flexible response to the challenges of the pandemic and has continued to drive the USVI’s performance with a data-driven, creative approach to modern tourism.”
Commissioner Boschulte and Deputy Commissioner Farrington joined Governor Bryan for meetings with leading cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Corporation & plc, amongst others, to discuss continued partnerships, expansion opportunities, and industry updates.
As the global cruise industry continues to restabilize following challenges incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Thomas and St. Croix experienced a 13% growth in 2023 over 2019, with West Indian Company Dock, Crown Bay Dock, and E. Abramson Marine Facility welcoming more than 1,600,000 passengers from 495 total calls for the year. With a 58% year-over-year passenger increase from 2022 to 2023, the USVI continues to grow and is projected to experience another 5% increase in cruise passenger arrivals in 2024.
Commissioner Boschulte also highlighted the remarkable success of the USVI and Caribbean region, stating, “I am proud to see the Caribbean’s appeal continue to captivate travelers. Our collaborative efforts with partners like FCCA and the Caribbean Tourism Organization underscore the unity of our region, ensuring unforgettable experiences for visitors while highlighting the unique strengths of the U.S. Virgin Islands. With a safe, welcoming destination and a shared commitment to tourism, we embrace our role as an integral part of the Caribbean community.”
For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/.

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