On March 12, 2018, the government of Dominica officially launched its Climate Resilience Execution Agency of Dominica (CREAD).
Dominica’s long-time Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit called the decision to make Dominica the first climate resilient nation in the world, describing it as the choice to walk a difficult road which has not been traversed before. His intention to take this path was announced here in the October 15, 2017 issue of REVITALIZATION.
He says the island nation needs a fully integrated plan to achieve the goal set for climate resilience is needed. “We must break down our journey into manageable stages, into a well-coordinated, carefully sequenced set of projects, annual plans and realistic six-month targets; and that is another reason why we need CREAD,” Skerrit said.
As crucially important as this initiative is (the world desperately needs a working model of a climate-resilient nation) readers of the Resilience Success Guide know that a plan—fully integrated or not—is not sufficient to achieve this goal. A comprehensive implementation process—ideally based on the 3Re Strategy—is essential.
The Prime Minister also indicated that time is of the essence in the decision-making and execution of the functions of CREAD. “Time is not on our side, sea levels continue to rise, temperatures are mounting and another hurricane season beckons. As long as there are Dominicans who remain at risk from a climate disaster our task is unfinished and progress must be faster.”
The agency now has a transition committee and it is anticipated that within three months an independent agency will be legislated. The Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Affairs, Francine Baron is Chair of that transition team.
Secretary to the Cabinet, Ambassador Steve Ferrol; Financial Secretary, Rosamund Edwards; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Planning, Gloria Joseph; Principal Advisor to the Prime Minister, Ambassador Edward Lambert and Special Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister, Professor Avinash Persaud are the other members on the transition committee.
The governments of the United Kingdom and Canada, and the United Nations Development Programme have partnered with Dominica for the establishment of this climate resilience agency.
The nation’s leader profusely thanked all the countries which have stood with Dominica in its time of need and in its quest rebuild stronger.
Skerrit concluded by reaffirming his commitment for a stronger Dominica. “We are doing this for our children and grand-children and we owe it to them as the current generation. As the Prime Minister of Dominica, I reiterate my fullest solidarity and commitment to this cause because I believe it is the only and right path to pursue at this time.”
Photo of Roseau, Dominica via Adobe Stock.