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Minister of the Environment and Drainage, Dr. Denis Lowe (right), chatting with delegates at the workshop. (C. Pitt/BGIS)??

Biodiversity is expected to play a major role in Barbados’ quest to become a green economy.

Minister of the Environment and Drainage, Dr. Denis Lowe, made this point yesterday while addressing the Sub-Regional Workshop for the Caribbean on Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas under the Convention on Biological Diversity.?? It was held at the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa.

"As my ministry works toward the achievement of this vision of a green economy for Barbados and the region, the biodiversity programme and protected areas will play a pivotal role," Dr. Lowe said.

He told delegates attending the workshop that the Biodiversity programme was reorganised to reflect Government’s policies as it sought to protect Barbados’ fragile ecosystems and promote their services.

"The basis for the green economy is the recognition of the fragility of the country’s ecosystems or its biodiversity and their maintenance, to ensure enhanced economic performance, social development and environmental sustainability," Dr. Lowe added.

He also pointed out that Barbados was committed to the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity, noting that the country’s participation in the workshop, which concludes this Thursday, showed Government’s commitment to ensuring that all components of sustainable development were met.

He explained that biodiversity was critical as it was the mechanism through which the country sought to protect its marine and land-based elements to sustain the earth and its ecosystems.

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

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