​UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised ministers from across the globe for convening at a crucial and necessary meeting, emphasizing the imminent threat of climate-related crises faced by the world. He attributed these crises to human activities, noting that those least responsible bear the brunt of the impacts. Guterres stressed the imperative for collective action to address the climate crisis by establishing connections between various factors, aiming to guide the world toward a sustainable path.

​Guterres emphasizes the necessity for governments to collaborate in creating a fresh treaty addressing plastic pollution and substantially boosting funding for sustainable development initiatives.

​UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. 

​Photo: Pulse Facebook Page
 
The Deputy Chair of the Carnival Road Parade Committee extended heartfelt appreciation to all individuals who actively engaged in this year's vibrant carnival celebration, emphasizing the pivotal role of such events in showcasing and preserving the country's rich cultural heritage. Stressing the significance of community involvement, the Deputy Chair underscored that the essence of culture thrives through the active participation of its people, asserting that without their enthusiastic engagement, the essence of cultural expression would be diminished.

​The Deputy Chair of the Carnival Road Parade Committee.

 

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially announced the squads for the six regional teams participating in the 2024 CG United Women’s Super50 Cup and T20 Blaze. Among the players selected, Earnisha Fontaine, Amiah Gilbert, and Pearl Etienne will be part of the Windward Island Women’s Squad in both tournaments.
 
The CG United Super50 Cup matches are scheduled to take place at three venues in St. Kitts – Warner Park, the Conaree Cricket Centre, and St. Paul’s Sports Complex from March 4 to March 25, with the 50-over matches commencing at 10 am local time.Simultaneously, the T20 Blaze will provide five full days of cricket entertainment for fans from March 17 to March 25 at Warner Park. Each day will feature three matches, starting at 10 am, 2:30 pm, and 7 pm (under lights).
 
Barbados enters as the defending champions in both the CG United Super50 Cup and the T20 Blaze. Notably, Barbados and West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews will be absent from the tournaments as she has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the Women’s Premiere League in India.
 
Commenting on the upcoming tournaments, CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, expressed excitement for the growth of women’s cricket in the region. He acknowledged the absence of Matthews and highlighted her significant contribution to the team.

​Daryl Bobb, Secretary of the Dominica Calypso Association (DCA), commends the association's successful hosting of the largest and most attended calypso finals event despite facing unnecessary challenges. The DCA is advocating for an extension of the carnival season to alleviate the congestion of events preceding Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

​Bobb urged more people to embrace the calypso genre instead of opposing it, emphasizing its significance as part of Dominican culture. He highlighted the importance of young people embracing this aspect of their cultural heritage.

​Dominica Calypso Association (DCA) Secretary Daryl Bobb. 

​Jolly's Pharmacy will be undertaking its 5th Annual 5K-Run scheduled for April 27, 2024, aimed at promoting awareness about diabetes and sickle-cell anemia in Dominica. Carlton Languedoc, who serves as Head of Sales, Public Relations, and Public Health at Jolly's Pharmacy announced the event. He emphasized the significance of wearing blue to symbolize support for diabetes awareness, and burgundy or red to show solidarity with those affected by sickle cell anemia.

​Carlton Languedoc, Head of Sales, Public Relations, and Public Health at Jolly's Pharmacy. 

​The Environmental Health Department has reported an absence of food-borne diseases during the carnival season, highlighting the diligence of vendors in upholding the standards outlined by the department before the commencement of the festivities. Senior Environmental Health Officer, Calma Louis, emphasized that vendors strictly followed the guidelines mandated by law & implemented the training they received.

​The Environmental Health Officer expressed the department's anticipation of collaborating closely with various organizations and city councils to enhance food surveillance and monitoring during mass gatherings.

​Senior Environmental Health Officer, Calma Louis. 

​The National Beekeepers Cooperative Society (NBCS) on Saturday 24th February marked the official start of the beekeeping mentorship program with signing of contracts between the mentors and mentees of the new program.

Three mentors with experience in beekeeping will mentor five upcoming beekeepers for one year and share knowledge on bee biology, hive management, best practices, expanding their beekeeping operation and operating a beekeeping business. The mentors are Nathaniel Lovell of Bee Api, Kevin James of Blanca Farms and Shem Jacob of Buds Backyard Honey who between them manage over 180 hives.

The total cost of the year-long program was estimated at $100,000 but, despite a lack of funding, the NCBS board decided to go ahead with the initiative based on the voluntary contribution of the three mentors, discounted supplies purchased from Bee Api and a resolve to share equipment and other supplies along the journey. It was noted at the signing ceremony, that the Dominica apiculture industry has a great opportunity to be further developed and be an integral part of the agriculture sector and national development.
 
At the recent OECS Honey Show held in St Lucia, Dominica won two out of the three prizes available for honey and also captured a number of other awards for Beeswax and value added products. These awards highlight the quality of the Dominican product and the potential for us to be a regional leader in the sector.

​President of the United Workers Party (UWP), Lennox Linton, stressed the importance of unity as a collective force to rescue and contribute to the Dominica's development. He emphasized the need for individuals to take action differently in defending the country's interests. Linton also asserted that concerned citizens of Dominica will no longer tolerate manipulation of the country's resources by a select group of individuals.

​Linton stated that despite the DLP Regime's deception regarding the management of funds, the hospital continues to face shortages of essential medical supplies.

​Lennox Linton, President of the United Workers Party (UWP). 

​The 13th installment of the Jazz and Creole Festival is scheduled for May 5th, 2024, at the Cabrits National Park in Portsmouth, themed 'Creole Fusion.' According to the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), this year's event is anticipated to surpass previous editions in scale and quality.

​The DDA is encouraging attendees to anticipate the upcoming Jazz n Creole Festival and the World Creole Music Festival, promising that both events will be even more spectacular than in previous years.

​Monelle Alexis, Communications and Public Relations Specialist at Discover Dominica Authority (DDA). 

​In light of the escalating challenges posed by climate change, OECS Member States outlined clear priorities aimed at addressing the region's critical concerns amidst the ongoing climate crisis.
 
Among these priorities was the urgent need to activate the Loss and Damage Fund, a vital mechanism to support vulnerable nations, particularly ahead of the impending 2024 hurricane season. Recent years have witnessed devastating hurricanes, including Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Maria, which caused severe destruction in several OECS Member States.
 
These catastrophic events have highlighted the pressing need to make Loss and Damage funds accessible to OECS Member States through reputable Regional Institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank.Sir Molwyn Joseph, Antigua & Barbuda's Minister of Health, Wellness& the Environment, has lead advocacy efforts on this front.
 
He expressed concerns about attempts to link climate mitigation and adaptation with loss of damage and underscored the critical need for mechanisms providing swift access to funds following climate-related disasters. Sir Molwyn emphasized the importance of advocating with intensity and scope to establish the loss and damage fund.
 
The OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules, called for enhanced coordination by the region for advocacy, positioning, and mobilization of resources, echoing the sentiments of Sir Molwyn.