13/09/23 Inception Workshop
The Inception Workshop for the South Oropouche River Basin (SORB) project marked a pivotal moment in our journey towards a more resilient and sustainable future. Held at the Debe Secondary School, Debe on September 13, 2023, this workshop brought together an array of stakeholders, including representatives from CAF, the Ministry of Planning and Development of Trinidad and Tobago, our project team from The University of the West Indies, Regional Corporations, NGOs and residents of the SORB area.
The event solidified our collaboration and commitment, as we embarked on a shared mission to address climate change challenges in the SORB region.
The workshop was presided over by Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh, who serves as the Head of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit within the Ministry of Planning & Development. Notable addresses were presented during the event, with remarks offered by Mr. Bernardo Requena, the Country Representative from the Latin American Development Bank, CAF and the keynote address delivered by The Honourable Penelope Beckles, the Minister of Planning & Development. The closing address was delivered by Professor Bheshem Ramlal, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UWI.
Key project components and strategies were discussed during the Inception Workshop which included strengthening territorial planning and risk management, enhancing green and grey infrastructure to combat floods and droughts, and safeguarding vulnerable coastal and wetland ecosystems in the SORB region. These discussions presented an opportunity for stakeholders to align their efforts and ensure the project's activities remain true to the goals set out in the project document.
Presentations of focal areas:
Carolina Cortés, Principal Executive Directorate of Technical Advice on Biodiversity and Climate, CAF; Presentation of the Scheme of the SORB project.
Navneet Boodhai, Manager of the UWI Engineering Institute; Presentation of the Annual Operating Plan of the SORB Project.
With a commitment to efficient resource use and timely results delivery, the project is on its way to making a positive impact on the region. The workshop was not just a starting point but a symbol of our shared dedication to building resilience, protecting ecosystems, and empowering communities in the SORB region.
