A three-member delegation from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines recently participated in a regional workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), aimed at strengthening water governance and enhancing investment planning for climate resilience across Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The two-day workshop, held from July 9–10, 2025, in Grenada, was hosted by the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Titled “Leveraging SDG 6 for Accelerated Water Investments in Caribbean SIDS,” the session brought together technical experts in water governance, agriculture, tourism, and health from six Caribbean nations.
The SVG delegation included Director of Tourism Faylene King and Kevin Providence, Superintendent of Marine and Terrestrial Parks at the National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority, representing the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture. Senior Engineer Jonathan Francis represented the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA).
Participants explored IWRM tools with a focus on country-led action and financial planning, identifying priority initiatives and funding mechanisms. Key topics included the intersection of freshwater and marine governance, pollution control, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 monitoring.
The Vincentian team also reviewed the country’s IWRM survey scores, assessing progress, gaps, and emerging trends. A mini action plan was drafted during the workshop, tailored to national priorities and regional strategies.
The workshop supports the broader regional goal of ensuring all participating countries, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, implement a comprehensive national IWRM plan by 2030 in alignment with SDG Indicator 6.5.1.