Specialist workshops with government officials are being held this week in Antigua andTrinidad, supported by researchers from the University, to introduce the Rapid ReadinessAssessment for a Sustainable Blue Economy.
This Rapid Readiness Assessment (RRA)is a trial that will be taking place over the next fewmonths and the results will inform the Islands in their next steps towards becoming asustainable 'blue' economy. This means the Islands will be able to effectively tap into oceanresources and support long-term economic growth, while also protecting marine and coastalecosystems.
The RRA will evaluate how ready the Islands national systems, structures and stakeholdersare to make the transition to becoming a sustainable blue economy. Building on progressalready made in each country, the RRA will help governments and stakeholders understandtheir current situation and identify both opportunities and gaps.
Antaya March from the University of Portsmouth is leading the work being done in Antiguaand Barbuda. She said: "This is a critical time to bring together all of the valuable, existingwork in each country and identify how to harmonise approaches and avoid duplication ofefforts. A sustainable blue economy presents the opportunity for Antigua & Barbuda andTrinidad & Tobago to truly tap into the wealth of resources the ocean offers, provideequitable sharing of the benefits and reduce their economies' over reliance on tourism andoil respectively, for a more balanced and equal operating system."
"This is a critical time to bring together all of the valuable, existing work in each country and identify how to harmonise approaches and avoid duplication of efforts. A sustainable blue economy presents the opportunity for Antigua & Barbuda and Trinidad & Tobago to truly tap into the wealth of resources the ocean offers, provide equitable sharing of the benefits and reduce their economies' over reliance on tourism and oil respectively, for a more balanced and equal operating system.
The assessments are being coordinated under the Commonwealth Blue Charterprogramme, with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Howell MarineConsulting and the University of Portsmouth. They will consider factors such as leadership,laws and policies, sustainable financing, stakeholder engagement and institutionalinfrastructure, among others. Government officials will work with experts to review the resultsand outline possible next steps towards the transition.
Project lead, Dr Jeff Ardron from the Commonwealth Secretariat said: "Commonwealthocean states are acutely aware of the vast ocean resources that exist within their waters, aswell as the need to protect the marine environment. We are pleased to be able to supportTrinidad & Tobago, together with Antigua & Barbuda in developing sustainable blueeconomies, and thank them for their willingness to pilot this new methodology. Both facesimilar challenges as small island developing states, but they also have key economicdifferences. The rapid readiness assessments should pinpoint gaps and opportunities foreach."
UNEP spokesperson, Ole Vestergaard said: "During the first online discussion to familiarisestakeholders with the project, representatives from the partner governments thanked theCommonwealth, UNEP and other partners and welcomed the rapid readiness assessmentprocess."
Acting Director of the Department of the Blue Economy for Antigua and Barbuda, Ms Ann-Louise Hill, added: "The sustainable blue economy promotes economic growth and improvedlivelihoods across a wide range of sectors, while ensuring the sustainable and responsibleuse of marine resources. Through a combination of workshops, information-gathering andanalysis, this process will help us to identify and understand what is required to improveAntigua and Barbuda's sustainable blue economy."
