Dominica has joined the rest of the world in observance of World Food’s Day 2023.
World Food Day 2023 is being held under the theme “Water Is Life, Water Is Food: Leave No One Behind.”
World food day is observed annually on October 16 with the aim of shedding light on the millions of people globally who struggle with food security.
This international day is spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and is dedicated to raising awareness about food security, hunger and agricultural concerns on a global stage.
World Food Day provides a platform for advocating actions to combat worldwide hunger, enhance accessibility to food, and encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, Hon. Roland Royer says World Food Day is meant to inspire countries to work together to create a better future for all.
“The observance of World Food Day is meant to inspire change that will create a better future for all as we celebrate under the theme “Water Is Life, Water is Food: Leave No One Behind.” World Food Day celebrations offer a unique opportunity to create awareness and action across the world for those who suffer from hunger, or struggle to ensure that there is access to food for all. This year’s celebrations spotlight how water is essential to life on earth and is the foundation of our food systems. Water, which covers the majority of the planet’s surface, makes up over fifty percent of our bodies, supports livelihoods, and important productive sectors such as Agriculture, fisheries, tourism, the environment and trade, and the housing and health services,” Hon. Royer stated.
He noted that with the development of countries coupled with climate change has challenged he planet’s water resources.
“Our performance in these sectors is central to achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. We note however that economic development premised on a rapid population growth, urbanization and climate change puts our planet’s water resources under increasing stress. The Director General of the FAO of the United Nations reminds us that we must not take water for granted. We must work together to manage a finite precious resource” he noted.
The Agriculture Minister says Dominica is blessed to have an abundant water supply despite the challenges of climate change.
“It is estimated that around 2.5 billion people live in water stressed countries today. Many are small holder farmers who struggle to meet their daily needs, particularly women, indigenous people, migrants, and refuges. Competition for this priceless resource increases as water scarcity becomes a central motive of many conflicts. Reflecting on these statistics, we must say as Dominicans we are truly blessed, as a nation which boasts of 3645 rivers and a high annual rainfall,” HON. Royer added.
The Government of Dominica congratulates Meritta Hyacinth, who was elected President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) West Indies 2024 on Friday, October 13, 2023.
Miss Hyacinth was installed as President during the 63rd JCI West Indies national convention in Antigua and Barbuda.
Meritta Hyacinth of Goodwill, Dominica is the Senior Programme Officer in the Ministry of Education, Human Resource, Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence and was previously the President of JCI Dominica in 2020 and Vice President for JCI West Indies in 2023.
She is a community leader and educator who has shown deep commitment to youth development and leadership and advocated for their greater involvement in key areas of politics and governance.
The Government of Dominica wishes Miss. Hyacinth success as she takes the lead in preparing the region’s youth to positively impact their communities and countries, as they look forward to the work she will do during her term to encourage social responsibility and help shape the next generation of proactive and socially conscious leaders in Dominica and the region.
Prime Minister of Dominica, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit will co-chair the first Canada-CARICOM Summit alongside the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau in Ottawa, Canada from October 17-19, 2023.
The summit will be held under the theme “Strategic Partners for a Resilient Future,” and will seek to strengthen existing cooperation between Canada and CARICOM member states.
The current CARICOM Chairman will lead his colleague heads of government in discussions on building inclusive and sustainable economies, increasing trade and investment, the fight against climate change and international assistance to address the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
Leaders will also engage with Canadian business leaders and investors to explore commercial opportunities in the region.
In his absence from the state, Minister for Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre will serve as acting Prime Minister.
Newly sworn in President of Dominica, Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton says one of her priorities is confronting the issue of the domestic violence in dominica.
President Burton was officially sworn in on Monday October 2 at the State House, one day after receiving the Dominica Award Of Honour.
During her first address as president of Dominica, Her Excellency Burton stated she will continue to be a voice for the vulnerable in society.
“One of academic training is in poverty alleviation. One of the negative consequences of poverty is the violence perpetrated against women and children, and this is an area that I have worked in over several years. I will continue to be a voice for those women and children in our community who are being violated abused and exploited. I intend to use my office to do everything that I can, to make our community one that is enlightened in its approach to resolving the issues facing our vulnerable citizens,” President Burton stated.
Her Excellency Burton stated that she will not only speak on behalf of the country’s women and children but also the young men.
“It is not only women and girls that I am referring to, because even though the issues may not be the same, our young men are equally vulnerable. This is reflected in both the enrollment numbers and the graduation numbers for the Dominica State College. This school year, 1,524 students enrolled, of that number 1,027 are female and 497 are male, and in two days, 354 students will graduate from the state college, of which 257 are female and 97 are male. The percentage is 73% female to 27% male attending and graduating from this institution,” Her Excellency Burton noted.
President Burton noted that if Dominica is to grow further as a nation, the country’s young men must be included in its development.
“This trend, ladies and gentlemen, is not sustainable if we are to achieve our full potential as a nation and will only change with targeted intervention. I believe that this disparity in the education of our young men may be directly related to the increasing disregard for the rule of law. This is a challenge that is being face d by even some of the oldest and most advanced democracies in the world. We are a very young nation and the rule of law is critically important to the stability of our fragile democracy. We cannot and must not allow a few elements in our society to threaten the peace and safety of our citizens and negatively impact our reputation as one of the safest places in the world to live,” President Burton added.
On October 11 2023, the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security has signed a grant agreement with the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), to provide five hundred and fifty eight thousand US Dollars for the development of the Champagne Beach Facility.
Chief Executive Officer of the CDF, Mr. Rodinold Soomer says they are pleased to support this project that will improve the champagne beach facility in Dominica.
“The agreement that we are signing today, for an amount in grant to the government of Dominica of five hundred and fifty eight thousand us dollars which is approximately 1.5 million EC dollars for the upgrade of the Champagne Beach Facility,” he stated.
Mr. Soomer spoke to the reasons for the CDF’s investment in the tourism sector of OECS countries.
“The CDF has been asked by the member states to provide a number of support in sectoral and thematic areas. While tourism is not necessarily mentioned as a sector of interest we have been doing a lot of work in tourism particularly in the OECS countries. Because as we seek to address these circumstances of disadvantage, it actually makes sense from a developmental perspective to flip the narrative and not just to consider disadvantages but to support the countries in the sectors in which they have comparative advantage. So this is the first fundamental reason why we’ve focused so much on tourism as a sector for intervention for support to the OECS including Dominica,” Mr. Soomer explained.
A number of the requirements for project funding were met by Dominica’s proposal to improve the champagne beach facility in addition to the potential of its natural attractions.
“One of the thematic areas that we consider in accordance with our agreement is infrastructure development and another is business development and enterprise competitiveness. So this project allows us to pursue our objectives and respond to the mandate given to us by the community in these areas while providing support to Dominica in upgrading its tourism product. Another important dimension of this we believe is that when you have attractions that have world class potential, what you do when you upgrade these attractions you improve the competitiveness of the industry in question in this case tourism. And of particular relevance to the CSME you improve the attractiveness for interregional travel as well which is clearly in support of greater regional integration,” he added.
Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre says Champagne Beach is symbolic of the innate potential of Dominica. He described the signing agreement ceremony as testament of the government’s commitment to develop Dominica.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the journey of Dominica’s tourism and development. We have gathered here as a testament to our shared commitment to develop our beloved Dominica and its promise as a premier tourism destination in the Caribbean. I would like to say a special thanks to the CARICOM Development Fund for their support to Dominica’s quest to become the world’s first climate resilient country. Today’s signing are another stride in that direction. Champagne beach with its unique volcanic springs and marine life is not just a natural wonder it’s a symbol of Dominica’s untapped potential. While it has been a sought after location for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts from around the world, some further enhancements are required for champagne beach to truly shine,” Dr. McIntyre stated.
Dr. McIntyre announced the developments that will form part of the rehabilitation project of Champagne Beach.
“The new Champagne Beach Facility will include a basement reception area, with vending units, changing rooms, lockers, spa services, and a lookout point. The lower level will be equipped with a restaurant and bar with washrooms, open space, dining, recreation and entertainment. This will not only enhance the visitor experience but will generate employment opportunities for the construction phase to the operation phase. It will open doors for our local entrepreneurs. Space is dedicated to art. Crafts and culinary delight will also allow our talented Dominicans to showcase their skills and contribute to our vibrant tourism ecosystem,” the Minister noted.
Dr. McIntyre noted that the development will be aligned with environmental protection principles.
“As we embark on this journey we pledge to adhere to the environmentally friendly practices to ensure the natural beauty remains untouched. Ladies and gentlemen, it fills me with immense pride to be part of this historic moment. This milestone serves as a promise to our future generations and we are committed to creating a Dominica that is resilient, prosperous and forward thinking,” Dr. McIntyre added.
CDF was established in 2008, to provide financial or technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors in the Caribbean Community.
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