CARIBBEAN                          COMMUNITY                          SECRETARIAT

            TWENTY-EIGHTH MEETING OF THE                               RESTRICTED

            STANDING COMMITTEE OF

CARIBBEAN STATISTICIANS                                            SCCS/2003/28/19

            Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands                    

            3-5 November 2003                                                               2 November 2003

STATUS REPORT ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMPONENT OF THE

CARICOM PROGRAMME TO STRENGHTEN CAPACITY IN THE COMPILATION OF SOCIAL/GENDER AND ENVIRONMENT STATISTICS

IN THE CARICOM REGION

1.         INTRODUCTION

            In preparation for the launching of the Environment Component of this Programme the following preparatory activities have been identified and have been initiated at the CARICOM Secretariat:

(i)                 Reviewing the CARICOM/UNSD Project component on the Environment, paying particular attention to the immediate next steps which were recommended, the gaps and deficiencies identified, sources of information on the Environment including differences between national and international sources of information;

(ii)               Reviewing the list of indicators from the UNSD/CARICOM Project implemented during the period 2000-2002;

(iii)             Reviewing the regional and international agencies and experts that were involved in the Project and the agencies currently executing work in the Region;

(iv)              Collating information on the concepts, definitions and classifications;

(v)                Suggesting priority areas for data compilation;

(vi)              Considering the status of Member States with respect to capacity to produce these indicators;

(vii)            Reviewing all reports produced by these Member States;

(viii)          Identifying the needs of Member States based on the above review as well as on the conduct of an inventory.

TWO FUTURE ACTIVITIES

2.         Early in 2004,  the Secretariat intends to convene a meeting to formulate the Environment Programme.  The approach may involve a short-list of key indicators on the environment as a minimum to be compiled.  Countries that have been able to either produce environment reports and/or compendia may be involved in a first phase of developmental work utilising the strategies of the Social/Gender component and adapting these where necessary. Inter-agency co-operation at the national level should also be a critical aspect of developmental work on the environment.  In addition, exchange visits/attachments among Member States are being considered.

3.         In the setting up of this programme, there is need to involve UNSD who was part of the initial thrust as well as to involve at an early stage experts in this field to assist in programme formulation. These experts would also include regional experts who can guide the choice of priority indicators for the Region.

ACTION REQUIRED

4.         The Meeting is invited to:

:         note the preparatory work underway at the CARICOM Secretariat on the Environment component.

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