Roseau- Dominica – At the 16th meeting of the United Nations Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), held in Cali, Colombia, the Commonwealth of Dominica emerged as a leading voice in advancing ocean conservation for the Caribbean. During the Actioning the Blue: A Caribbean 30×30 Vision for the Ocean event on October 30, 2024, Dominica reaffirmed its strong commitment to the Caribbean 30×30 Vision, which seeks to protect 30% of the Caribbean’s marine and coastal ecosystems by 2030.
The event, which brought together leaders from Belize, Barbados, Dominican Republic,
Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis, focused on strengthening regional political will to achieve
ambitious ocean conservation goals. Dominica, a pioneer in sustainable environmental practices, stood out with its proactive approach to safeguarding its marine resources and contributing to the region’s collective efforts to protect the oceans.
Dominica’s Commitment to Protecting Oceans Cozier Frederick, Minister of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment, and Constituency Empowerment for the Commonwealth of Dominica, highlighted the country’s pivotal role in the region’s conservation efforts. Speaking at the event, Minister Frederick stressed the urgency of maintaining the Caribbean’s unique marine biodiversity, emphasizing that Dominica is at the forefront of efforts to protect this critical resource.
“We have to have this collective vision,” said Minister Frederick. “What we are doing here in
terms of keeping our marine space intact is something that needs to be expanded. We need the financial support and institutions to inform us of what we do. We share a common space, and we must safeguard it for future generations.”
Dominica’s leadership in marine conservation aligns with its national priorities for sustainable development, climate resilience, and environmental protection. The country’s focus on the Caribbean 30×30 Vision underscores its dedication to preserving the region’s biodiversity and contributing to the collective effort of small island developing states (SIDS) to protect their oceans and marine ecosystems.
Dominica’s Progress and Vision for the Future Dominica has been a proactive participant in regional conservation initiatives, and the country is focused on further expanding its marine protected areas (MPAs) and integrating biodiversity conservation into national policy frameworks.
As part of the Caribbean’s broader effort to meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), the Caribbean 30×30 The vision calls for the protection of 30% of the ocean by 2030, with a specific focus on strengthening the governance and financing of marine areas.
Minister Frederick reiterated that the key to success in meeting these ambitious targets lies in collective political will, financial innovation, and cooperation between Caribbean nations. As a “biodiversity hotspot” and a leader in environmental sustainability, Dominica’s leadership in pushing the 30×30 vision forward is both a strategic and moral imperative.
The Actioning the Blue event also underscored the importance of collaboration among Caribbean nations to achieve the 30×30 goal. Several Caribbean countries, including Belize, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic, shared their progress toward achieving marine protection goals. Notably, the Dominican Republic has already achieved the 30% protection target for its marine resources, a remarkable accomplishment that highlights the potential for other nations to follow suit.
Minister Frederick noted that while the Caribbean has made significant strides, more work is needed to ensure that the region is fully equipped with the necessary financial and technical resources to meet the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
“We are all in this together,” said Minister Frederick. “The oceans are shared spaces, and their protection is a shared responsibility. Dominica is committed to doing its part and ensuring that the Caribbean is united in our efforts to protect our marine environments for future generations.”