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News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


IDB Provides Technical Cooperation Grant to Assist Study and Implementation of Coastal Zone Management
By Llonella Gilbert, BIS
Jan 16, 2015 - 12:30:21 PM

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NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The technical cooperation grant given by the Inter-American Bank (IDB) for the phased establishment of a permanent program in integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) in The Bahamas is intended to help Government agencies and non-governmental organizations better manage coastal development and protect the country’s natural resources.

Speaking at an environmental workshop at the Ministry of Finance, Thursday, January 15, 2015, Astrid Wynter, IDB Representative for The Bahamas, said “The IDB approved a technical cooperation grant in the amount US$650,000, jointly financed by its Disaster Prevention Fund and its Special Program for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.”

The technical cooperation will be executed by the Ministry of the Environment and Housing over a period of 18-months.

The IDB Representative explained that the resources of the grant would be used to support existing initiatives that could contribute to a national ICZM policy framework; build the foundational capacity for development and implementing an investment program in ICZM; and provide designs and feasibility analysis for the investment program for consideration and financing.

“The investment program to be designed through the technical cooperation would be aimed at optimizing the contribution of the coastal zones to national sustainable economic development and building resilience to coastal hazards including the impacts of climate change through ICZM.”

She said that while the project will incorporate lessons learned and best practices based on the IDB’s 30 years of experience in ICZM in the Caribbean, the Bank looks forward to working with agencies in The Bahamas to generate a unique Bahamian product.

“Given the country’s archipelagic nature, low lying topography and high vulnerability to climate change and sea level rise, unprecedented opportunities for innovative approaches to coastal management not previously applied in the Caribbean are entirely feasible.”

Ms. Wynter explained that the project represents one of two parallel interventions financed by the IDB in the context of a broader national economic planning framework initiative led by the Office of the Prime Minister.

She said as recently as December 2014, the Bank approved grant financing in the amount of US$600,000 to develop an ecosystem-based development plan for Andros, the first in The Bahamas and the Caribbean.

“This development plan will ensure that the natural capital (biodiversity and ecosystem services) of Andros is mainstreamed in the design and implementation of development strategies with a view to ensuring the future well-being of all Bahamians.”

Ms. Wynter added, “This project is also financed by the Special Program for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Program and is being executed by the Bank on behalf of the Office of the Prime Minister.”

She noted that the IDB has approved US$14,000 to support a knowledge exchange visit to Barbados in coastal zone management.

“This technical visit will provide a unique opportunity for The Bahamas to observe the lessons learned in the implementation of Barbados’ coastal zone management program, widely recognized as a regional best practice model.”


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