BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC—The newly appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Simon Springett, said Monday that the Caribbean region stands on the frontlines of the climate emergency and ranks among the regions with the highest vulnerability.
“This vulnerability is compounded by the fact that recovery can take years when a disaster does occur. Both the recovery in terms,” Springett told the start of a three-day workshop focusing on this year’s hurricane season.
The joint workshop on “Building Public-Private Partnerships for Disaster Resilience in the Caribbean” is organized by the OCHA-UNDP Connecting Business Initiative (CBI), the Network of Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM), and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
It has brought together participants from the business community, regional and national governments, and the United Nations to share best practices and develop new pathways for public-private collaboration to enhance disaster preparedness and response.
Springett said that the agenda for the event is “more than necessary, it is urgent,” noting that it is crucial to acknowledge the formidable challenges that may lay ahead.
He said the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season predictions have raised significant concerns, indicating an above-average season with heightened intensity. These predictions underscore the urgency of the agenda and the necessity for robust, collaborative strategies to safeguard our communities and environment.
“However, our focus must not be limited to hurricanes alone. The Caribbean contends with a multi-hazard environment: Earthquakes, floods, droughts, and pandemics compound the threat of hurricanes in a complex landscape that demands an integrated and comprehensive approach to disaster resilience. An approach that leverages the strengths and resources of both the public and private sectors.”
The UN official said that public sector entities bring their understanding of local needs, established policy frameworks, and long-term vision and development planning. In contrast, the private sector possesses unique resources, capabilities, and expertise that are invaluable in all phases of disaster management.
“The private sector significantly contributes to disaster preparedness through investment in resilient infrastructure, supply chains, and operations. Private sector business continuity plans will continue to ensure the stability of critical services and goods during a crisis.
“Together, with our collection of skills and competencies, we can create a comprehensive approach to disaster resilience.”
Springett said that the Caribbean region has witnessed the public and private sectors stepping up together repeatedly, with considerable success, and “today, we come together to build on this collaboration and forge even stronger public-private partnerships to ensure long-term disaster resilience.”
He listed several private sector partnerships actively engaged in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, including the UN Global Compact, launched recently in Barbados.
“This global initiative encourages businesses to integrate sustainability principles of human rights, labor rights, environment, and anti-corruption into their operations. It emphasizes shared responsibility for a better world, including disaster resilience.”
But he said while these existing partnerships demonstrate a strong foundation for collaboration, there’s a significant opportunity to formalize further and coordinate public-private partnership efforts for building disaster resilience in the Caribbean.
“This meeting provides a valuable platform for exploring the potential of public-private partnerships to strengthen disaster resilience in the Caribbean.,” Springett said.
CDEMA executive director Elizabeth Riley said CDEMA regards the private sector as a trusted and treasured partner in advancing the region’s Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Agenda.
“The private sector continues to play a critical role in the finance and economic development sector, one of the two priority sectors added in the third iteration of the CDM Strategy 2014-2024.”
She said that the CDEMA Council will consider the recommendation for extending the Strategy to 2030 within the next two weeks and that this version of the Strategy emphasizes strengthening public/private partnerships within all sectors.
CDEMA recognizes that risk transfer and disaster financing are crucial for effective response, recovery, disaster risk reduction, and resilience.
She said that the role of the finance and economic development sector in advancing national disaster risk management agendas is critical. Sustained progress depends on national buy-in, which translates into increased revenue and investment in national disaster management programs.
“Therefore, we hope this workshop will serve as an impetus to strengthen and foster relationships among the ministries of finance and economic development, the private sector, and national disaster management organizations to build national resilience.”
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