On Saturday 22nd, as part of the celebration of the World Oceans Day, Joseph Jouthe, the new Minister of the Environment accompanied by his General Director Nicole Yolette Altidor, participated in the celebration activities that took place in Montrouis, in the presence of Ministers Marie Christine Stephenson (Tourism), Ronell Gilles (Trade), Ambassador of the European Union Vincent Degert, the Ambassador of Canada André Frenette, the British Chargé d'Affaires Caroline Rowette, the Honorary Consul of Romania, local authorities, representatives of Civil Society and Civil Service Agents.

In his speech, Minister Jouthe reminded that the problem of the degradation of the Environment in all its components is and remains one of the concerns of President Jovenel Moïse and reiterated the will Government to mobilize for the environment whose degradation reaches all sectors. "This degradation, we see it every day. As 9 out of 10 departments are bordered by the sea and we have 1700 km of coastline, we are all concerned to fight pollution in all its forms... the sea is an integral part of our lives."

Curbing the degradation of the marine environment while combating the main ills suffering from this environment, is part of the roadmap of the new Minister of the Environment. The protection of Mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds (ecosystems), the reduction of phenomena such as pollution related to plastics, styrofoam, uncontrolled constructions, over-fishing must be a matter for everyone, the Minister insists.

Aware of the gravity of the situation in Haiti, the Minister says that the government intends to address it in all its complexity. Modest resources, lack of legislation and difficulties do not discourage the government "Add and mobilize resources, we will work to strengthen a framework of law that can regulate the environment [...] We will work with Parliament for the enacting of sea and coastal laws and ensuring that the country has access to important conventions such as the Cartagena Convention on the Caribbean Marine Environment"

Note that the day before, the teams of the European Union, surrounded by representatives of the Member States (Great Britain, Germany, Spain, France) of its local and international partners, Canada, the World Bank and UNDP and the organization "Ayiti Bel Ayiti Vèt", carried out a cleaning operation of the Arcadine Islands, in the Gulf of Gonâve. Arrived on the spot by Marina Blue's boats, more than 80 people picked up garbage stranded on the beach, while Ambassador Vincent Degert and some divers collected the plastics in the sea. In a few hours, several cubic meters were collected, in big bags brought by 4Ocean, the organization dedicated to the cleaning of the oceans. The garbage thus collected was sent to the recycling centers of the capital, including partners ECSSA and SANCO.

HL/ HaitiLibre