OECO Press Release
In our increasingly digital age, data has become essential for making informed decisions across all sectors—from government to environmental conservation. «Data is an integral part of every aspect of our work and provides essential support for global programs when used responsibly,» says Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the Regional Environmental Monitoring Data Portal (REMDAP) was launched at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet. Developed through a collaboration between the Caribbean Environment Program of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-CEP), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and the Commission of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), REMDAP is the result of the project «Integrating Water, Land, and Ecosystem Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States,» funded by the GEF.
Christopher Corbin, coordinator of the Cartagena Convention Secretariat at UNEP, spoke at the virtual launch, describing it as «a celebration of the crucial role of data in environmental management and projects such as the GEF.» He emphasized the importance of REMDAP in addressing the significant challenges posed by the production, use, archiving, and storage of environmental data and information.
Emmanuel Chamberlain, head of the OECS Commission’s Environmental Sustainability Division, emphasized the vital role of environmental management in sustainable development.
«Thanks to the availability and use of data, we gain insights into environmental systems, which enable us to better position ourselves for the future. Data collection and analysis are increasingly valuable to decision-makers for a variety of purposes, including compliance assessment, raising awareness, and formulating science-based policies for transformative governance.».
REMDAP aims to strengthen the conservation of Caribbean ecosystems and natural resources by improving data availability and serving as a clearinghouse for information to support regional environmental monitoring and assessment efforts. The objectives of this initiative include providing reliable data sources to decision-makers, offering useful monitoring measures—including multiscale tools to track progress on environmental agreements—and strengthening regional capacity for managing environmental indicators.
This initiative promises to improve informed decision-making and strengthen regional environmental monitoring and assessment processes, thereby making a significant contribution to the conservation of the Caribbean’s natural resources.
