From GodFather Politics By Rebecca Theodore, Director of North American Affairs for the Caribbean Israel Coalition

Since the introduction of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals nearly three years ago, the smaller states of the Caribbean region have been searching for sustainable development models to address the challenges they face. Aside from the fact, that, a stronger commitment to partnership and cooperation is needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals target of 2030 in the Caribbean; the Caribbean Israel Coalition is now using modern methods of Israel expertise and technology to establish a technological framework for the lesser developed islands of the Caribbean. The Caribbean Israel Coalition is now promoting investments for sustainable growth and development in the fields of cyber security, water sanitation, housing, education, solar farming, and agriculture in many Caribbean states.

According to Sustainable Development Goal Report 2017, “fresh water in sufficient quantity and quality, is essential for all aspects of life and sustainable development. Water resources are embedded in all forms of development (e.g. food security, health promotion and poverty reduction), in sustaining economic growth in agriculture, industry and energy generation, and in maintaining healthy ecosystems.”take our poll – story continues below

Following from this, new policies are needed to alleviate and build resilience to rising seas, droughts, and extreme rainfall in many of the smaller developing states in the Caribbean. Fresh and coastal water resources are the immediate water challenges in the Caribbean. New methods are needed to monitor and process the atmospheric and other environmental variables that are affected by changes in climatic conditions in the Caribbean region. Experts are needed in the Caribbean to improve and expand existing models of hydro-meteorological stations to improve data collection to help scientists to better appraise potential hazards and bearings, and to make their information available to government leaders, so that they can learn to build better resilient infrastructures against the hazards of climate change.

Apart from the fact, that, climate related risks pose long term threats to food systems in all of the smaller developing sates of the region, there must be, a sound ecosystem that strengthens capacity for adaptation to climate change in the lesser developing states of the Caribbean region. As UNSDG observes, the goals not only range from the eradication of poverty and hunger, but to the need to act for climate mitigation and an increase in the state of public health. Education in the Caribbean must also be interlaced with future labor market prerequisites as an attainment of the global goals.

Therefore, it is important for Caribbean Israel Coalition to augment the resilience of Caribbean communities from the hostile effects of climate change, food insecurity and the devastating threat of healthcare and education.

Compounded to this, the need to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture for the less developed states of the Caribbean region are of paramount importance. Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for Caribbean states and making Caribbean cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, further shifts the spotlight on UNDP’s focus to help countries in the [Caribbean region] “build and share solutions in their sustainable development pathways, with inclusive and effective democratic governance.” At the same time, the rule of law, democracy, and security must not be ignored. Public trust, government administrations and organizations in the Caribbean must be strengthened against security threats and the rise of extremism created by a partisan press, cyber crimes and the dissemination of fake news.

Hence, it is in accordance with the principle of participation and partnership with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal agenda, that, the Caribbean Israel coalition seeks to use Israel technology and expertise to define economic priorities relating to sustainable development in the Caribbean.

Subsequently, Caribbean Israel coalition three pillars of development viz: Caribbean Israel Venture Inc, Caribbean Israel Center for Cyber Defense, and Caribbean Investment Initiative are tools for sustainable development in the Caribbean.

Climate critics may argue, that, the way in which the Caribbean is currently producing food is negatively impacting climate, water, top soil, biodiversity and marine environments. Yet, at the same time, new policies must be implemented to protect the Caribbean against further losses. The Caribbean also needs new measures to boost economic growth, create jobs and livelihoods, and strengthen access to health and education towards achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals.

As plans are initiated to build a climate resilient Caribbean, and more and more, scientific studies point to a warmer Caribbean, access to technology and knowledge are key ways to offer innovation and sustainable development to the people of the Caribbean. The Caribbean Israel coalition aims to support existing policies, legislative and institutional reforms and capacity building towards the targeted agenda of 2030. Within this vein, the Caribbean Israel coalition tracks climate smart development and food security in the Caribbean by using Israel technology as a means of achieving the UN sustainable development goals.

Taken all together, if the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 global targets stabilizes the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development for all of humanity, then, the Caribbean must commit to its “economic and political will” to implement the 2030 agenda as well. Accordingly, partnership of Caribbean Israel Coalition to UNDP and other affiliated UN organizations, will propel the Caribbean forward to more sustainable and resilient pathways.

Theodore is the Director of North American Affairs for the Caribbean Israel Coalition- A non- profit organization that partners with Israel expertise, technology and investments to bring sustainable development to the Caribbean region.rebecca_theodore4Rebecca

For more on this story go to: https://godfatherpolitics.com/caribbean-israel-coalition-a-partner-in-united-nations-sustainable-development/