CDB Finances Training for Caribbean Water Sector Professionals

Senior Water Sector professionals from across the Caribbean will meet on August 23 – 24 to identify better ways of planning for the impact of climate change on the region’s water supply and systems.

The meeting, co-hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), takes the form of a workshop entitled “Building a Climate Resilient Water Sector in the Caribbean: Strategies for Water Utilities.” It will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami, Florida, USA.

Some 50 water utility professionals, field personnel and experts will explore climate change impacts on the Caribbean water sector and strategies to strengthen resiliency. In addition, participants will work together to create action plans to protect their countries’ water resources in the face of these impacts.

“Climate crisis presents a threat to water security in the Caribbean. This reality demands that water sector professionals and policymakers be better prepared to create and implement solutions that help Caribbean nations better safeguard their water resources. CDB is pleased to continue supporting dialogue among senior-level representatives of our Borrowing Member Countries and facilitating further exposure to best practices in building resiliency to handle climate change impacts.” Andrew Dupigny, Director, Projects (acting).

Experts have noted that sea-level rise, longer periods of drought, higher-intensity rainfall events, and increased temperatures directly impact the availability and sustainability of the region’s water resources and how water infrastructure is designed and operated.

CDB has invested approximately US$160 million in the Water Sector in the Caribbean and has collaborated with a wide range of development partners to advance its mandate to strengthen and modernize the region’s water infrastructure and water resource management.

The Bank will finance the participation of attendees from Anguilla; Antigua; Barbados; Belize; British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Dominica; Grenada; Jamaica; Montserrat; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Trinidad & Tobago; and the Turks & Caicos Islands.

CDB is collaborating with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association and the Global Water Operators’ Partnership Alliance to present the training event. The climate resiliency workshop precedes the 24th Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association Conference, which takes place August 24-28, 2015 in Miami.