Caribbean Challenge Initiative to address environmental threats to the region

The Caribbean Summit of Political and Business Leaders, May 17-18, will bring together heads of state and corporate executives to launch Phase II of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) to address environmental threats to the Caribbean region. With the goal of protecting 20 percent of the Caribbean’s marine and coastal resources by 2020, the CCI is among the most ambitious conservation initiatives ever undertaken. Hosted by Prime Minister Dr. the Right Honorable Keith C. Mitchell of Grenada, Premier Dr. the Honorable D. Orlando Smith, OBE of the British Virgin Islands and Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, the Summit will serve as a forum to announce new CCI partners and large-scale public and private funding commitments to advance the goals of safeguarding the Caribbean region’s tourism-based economy. It will be an opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences and successful stories, and discuss collaboration mechanisms going forward. Government leaders are also negotiating a Leaders Declaration designed to accelerate Phase II of the CCI.