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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Remarks
by
Hon. Philip E. Davis, M.P.
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Works & Urban Development
on the Occasion of the
23rd Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater
Association Conference
10th High Level Session Ministerial Forum
Thursday, 9th October 2014, 9:00 p.m.
Atlantis Resort
Paradise Island, The Bahamas
Theme: “Caribbean Water Security – Risks and Opportunities”
Salutations
Good Morning
On behalf of the Government of The Bahamas, it is my pleasure to renew offerings of welcome to our country and to welcome you to this 10th High Level Session Ministerial Forum.
This Conference and Exhibition has gotten off to a successful start and The Bahamas is indeed very honoured to have been given the opportunity to host this event for the fourth time; and to host the High Level Session for the second time.
As United Nations agencies and member states move closer to agreeing a new set of development targets to replace the soon-to-expire Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the need to include water in post-2015 development planning is more urgent than ever.
We are all well aware of the environmental and economic threats facing our small islands and countries. The theme of this year’s conference summarises those threats to the extent that emergent issues concerning ‘Water, Waste & Energy’ all correlate and, if left unaddressed, they have the potential to result in a serious downward spiral of our fragile economies.
Indeed, while we discuss these very serious issues over today and tomorrow, we must capitalise on the fact that ‘where there are risks there are also opportunities’. Because of the vulnerability of our countries and the very real concerns about water security, we have an opportunity to look at far more than means and methods of water production and the proper treatment and disposal of wastewater. We can also look at its efficient use of water AND the efficient use of energy in that cycle.
Colleagues
Historically, water management has been excluded from high-level decision-making processes, despite it being an integral part of any development process. The Bahamas has embarked on a significant water efficiency project to reduce water losses, and we are already reaping substantial benefits in both our ability to supply New Providence, the most populated island, which houses the capital city of Nassau; and in deferred water production expansion needs. As we reduce our water losses, this translates into reduced energy consumption by lowering production and pumping volumes.
As with any other growing economy, citizens are demanding more houses, more cars and more water. Climate change and its effect on water security, and other aspects of our existence, is critical to our futures. Sea level rise threatens to destroy major groundwater resources in The Bahamas. As we shore up our mitigation efforts, we have started the transition to desalination, while bolstering public cooperation to utilise water more efficiently given the high energy costs associated with desalination.
With these facts to guide our discussions, we are constrained to take action now to guarantee water resources for future generations. Let us resolve to develop real solutions toward efficient, sustainable use so that we ensure the security of our water resources.
These two days are critical. Let us make the most of them.
DPM Davis remarks at banquet for the Caribbean Water & Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conferene Awards
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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