NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Regional concerns about a sustainable approach to the resilience of climate change was the topic of discussion on November 30th at the Opening Ceremony of the 9th Annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) held at Melia Resort under the theme "Sustainable Development: Pathway to an Integrated Agenda for Resilience," and delivered by the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica.

"Despite my retirement from public office, CDEMA realized that any subject of importance to the development of the Caribbean would arouse my interest – but that even moreso a subject of such timely relevance and importance to all the people of our Region would lure me to the wicket," said Mr. Patterson.

"This conference has become well-known to regional and international stakeholders engaged in the enhancement of the capacity of the Caribbean to withstand disasters of all kinds. It is acknowledged as the forum which brings together the policymakers, the development agencies, stakeholders, the academic gurus and professional experts for meaningful dialogue in the search to chart a strategic course of action for the way forward."

Mr. Patterson said that as a region, we have recognized through the Liliendal Declaration and the Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change, the significant threat posed by the impact of global climate change to our development. He added that it is therefore imperative that we take a consolidated approach and pursue

collective action to protect our environment; to avert disasters where we can, or at least, to mitigate their effects, and at the same time, to spur sustainable development.

"The most widely accepted definition is that given by the Report of the Brundtland Commission in 1987: 'Sustainable development is the kind of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' These 'needs' represent the present and future economic, social and environmental goals that we set for our countries," said Mr. Patterson.

"For us in the Caribbean, we live in an almost constant state of tension in the achievement of sustainable development. Almost every year, we go through the cycle of responding and recovering from severe natural disasters. The experiences just in the last few months of Dominica and of The Bahamas are testimony not only of the challenges, but of the tenacity of our people to overcome and move on. The task is not made any easier by the fact that several of our disasters are triggered or aggravated by human behaviour."

Mr. Patterson said that our approach to achievement of sustainable development globally, regionally and nationally must be through integrated efforts to achieve resilience. He also said that the building of a resilient nation has to begin and proceed on the base of community resilience. We can learn a great deal from the Cuban model, which has been tested and proven.

"2015 has been a watershed year in the international arena with respect to the setting of a global agenda for resilience. In March of this year, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was adopted. The Sendai Framework is the first major agreement of the Post-2015 development agenda and seeks, through its four priorities for action and seven targets, to build on and enhance efforts to foster the resilience of nations to disasters which was begun under the Hyogo Framework for Action," said Mr. Patterson. 

Mr. Patterson informed the participants that in September of this year, United Nations Member States adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of a new sustainable development agenda that builds on the work of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were established in 2000 and targeted for achievement in 2015. He said that the outcome, the 17 SDGs and their 169 targets, seek to balance economic, social and environmental objectives in the achievement of sustainable development.

"Particular note should be taken of Sustainable Development Goal 13 which speaks of Member States commitment to “take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact”, within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate as the primary international, intergovernmental forum for negotiating the global response to climate change," said Mr. Patterson.

"The targets for this SDG emphasize the importance of increasing education and awareness on climate change mitigation and adaptation. That education must be both formal and non-formal. It has to include civic education at all levels, as well as professional education and training. Every one must understand how poverty breeds pollution and pollution breeds poverty in abundant return."

Mr. Patterson said that for climate change, depletion of the ozone shields, desertification, rising sea levels, disappearance of species are manifestations that all who inhabit earth – the single planet to which we belong - can no longer ignore the threat of an environmental holocaust unless we take decisive action today. The destruction of our environment is a prelude to the extinction of us all if we fail to do so.

"The Caribbean Regional Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy, in its several iterations, has gained broad-based support from national, regional and international stakeholders over the past 14 years. It continues to be a strong force for harmonization of efforts to promote resilience in the region," said Mr. Patterson.

"I commend the 2014 to 2024 Strategy as an integrated risk management approach that responds to the Sendai Framework and which can potentially provide a basis for the harmonization of the SDGs, and climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) interventions at the regional level."

Mr. Patterson said that political awareness and support are key in order to ensure full support at the highest level of Governments for appropriate allocation of national funds to address these issues.

"It is my hope that my presence here tonight and lending my voice to these discussions and issues will serve in some way to sound the alarm to persons at all levels of society in the region, of the importance of a unified Caribbean voice and approach in building resilient societies," said Mr. Patterson.

"I expect you to fully ventilate all these matters and to share experiences and ideas throughout this week, and at the end of it to have come to an agreement on the way forward. My very best wishes for a successful CDM Conference 2015. The Region eagerly awaits the fruits of your accumulated wisdom in our struggle to achieve a proper balance between the profligate exploitation of our natural endowments and the sustainable development for which our people yearn."