Government representatives and technical experts from across the Wider Caribbean Region will gather in Kingston, Jamaica, from October 13 to 16, 2025, for the Eighteenth Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP18) to the Cartagena Convention. Organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this biennial event will focus on addressing the escalating environmental challenges threatening the Caribbean Sea and shaping the future of regional marine conservation. The summit will feature sessions dedicated to the Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution (LBS) Protocol and the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol, aiming to bolster regional cooperation in combating marine pollution, biodiversity decline, and coastal ecosystem degradation. Christopher Corbin, Coordinator of UNEP’s Cartagena Convention Secretariat, emphasized the critical nature of the meeting, highlighting pressing issues such as land-based pollution, plastic waste, sargassum influxes, coral reef bleaching, and ocean acidification. ‘COP18 is a pivotal platform for Contracting Parties to reaffirm their commitment and chart a coordinated path forward to protect these vital ecosystems,’ Corbin stated. Key agenda items include reviewing the 2023–2024 work plan, approving a strategic programme and budget for 2026–2027, and adopting resolutions on emerging environmental concerns. Delegates will also explore proposals to advance marine litter action plans, enhance pollution control measures, expand protected areas, and strengthen ocean governance frameworks to support a sustainable blue economy. ‘This COP is a call to action,’ Corbin added. ‘We must accelerate the implementation of regional commitments into tangible national actions to safeguard our marine resources for future generations.’ Anticipated outcomes include a well-funded work plan for 2025–2026, new guidelines for sargassum management and plastic pollution, and renewed political dedication to the Convention and its protocols. ‘These outcomes will significantly impact key sectors like tourism, fisheries, and shipping, contributing to the global effort to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water,’ Corbin concluded.
分类： world
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Information Statement from Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service on Approaching Weather System
The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued a critical update on tropical disturbance AL95, which is currently positioned over the eastern tropical North Atlantic Ocean. As of 8:30 p.m. ECT on Sunday, October 5, 2025, the system is under close surveillance due to its high potential to develop into a tropical depression or storm within the next 48 hours. AL95 is moving westward at approximately 22 mph and is situated about 2,040 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands. Maximum sustained winds are currently near 35 mph, with higher gusts reported. The probability of formation within the next two days stands at 50 percent, increasing to 70 percent over the next seven days. While it remains uncertain whether AL95 will directly impact the region, meteorological models, including the reliable European model, suggest that the system could strengthen into a hurricane and pass near or over the northeast Caribbean by Thursday or Friday. Residents of the Leeward Islands and the British Virgin Islands are advised to monitor the situation closely and prepare for potential impacts. Although no tropical cyclone alerts, watches, or warnings are currently in effect, these could be issued within the next 48 hours. The next update is scheduled for 2 p.m. ECT on Monday, October 6, 2025, or sooner if necessary. Forecaster Dale Destin emphasized the importance of vigilance during the ongoing hurricane season.
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Dominican Embassy promotes national flavor in Honduras
The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Honduras made a remarkable impression at the Tegucigalpa International Gastronomic and Cultural Festival, held on Cervantes Avenue in the heart of the capital’s historic district. The event attracted hundreds of families, local residents, and members of the Dominican community, who gathered to celebrate the vibrant fusion of gastronomy and culture. The Dominican Embassy played a pivotal role in the festival, presenting two standout exhibits that captivated attendees. The first exhibit focused on gastronomy, offering a delectable array of traditional Dominican dishes, tropical juices, and local beers. Additionally, it featured a cultural showcase highlighting the iconic Diablo Cojuelo, a symbol of the Dominican carnival’s spirit. The second exhibit spotlighted Dominican exports, including coffee, rum, and tobacco, with tastings that drew significant attention and underscored the nation’s tourism and export potential. Ambassador Luis García Mercado emphasized that the Embassy’s participation aligns with its mission to enhance cultural diplomacy and foster stronger ties between the Dominican Republic and Honduras.
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AL95 now has a high chance of formation in 7 days, forecast to approach the Leeward Islands by late this week
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is closely tracking a tropical disturbance, designated as Invest AL95, which has a high probability of developing into a tropical depression over the next week. Located several hundred miles south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, this broad area of low pressure, associated with a tropical wave, is currently producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Forecasters indicate that environmental conditions are conducive for gradual development, with a 70% chance of formation within the next seven days. The system is expected to move rapidly westward across the central tropical Atlantic, potentially approaching the Leeward Islands by the latter part of the week. The NHC has urged residents in the northeastern Caribbean to monitor the situation closely, as the disturbance could pose a significant threat to the region. Formation chances stand at 40% within the next 48 hours, increasing to 70% over the next seven days. Authorities are advising preparedness measures as the situation evolves.
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Haiti’s horizon: from total chaos to open war
Santo Domingo, DR—The situation in Haiti has evolved from a governance and security crisis into a prelude to open war, with the United Nations Security Council authorizing the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to confront armed groups controlling much of Port-au-Prince. This marks a decisive shift from peacekeeping to a strategy of repression and neutralization, as the GSF prepares to dismantle gangs and protect critical infrastructure over a 12-month mandate ending in October 2027. The deployment of 5,550 troops signals an irreversible turning point, eliminating any possibility of negotiation or coexistence with the gangs. The GSF’s mission is not peacekeeping but law enforcement, aiming to reduce gang territorial control through force. Armed groups, which exploit resources through kidnappings and trafficking, have demonstrated superior resistance capabilities and will view the GSF’s arrival as an existential threat. The conflict is expected to involve asymmetric urban warfare, with gangs leveraging their knowledge of the terrain, coercing civilians as human shields, and employing guerrilla tactics. This will likely result in high casualties and collateral damage. The GSF’s deployment, however, will take months, providing gangs with a window to escalate violence, expand territorial control, and launch high-visibility attacks to maximize chaos and undermine the intervention’s legitimacy. The looming confrontation has rendered the possibility of elections on November 15 untenable, with the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) shifting focus from elections to stability and defense. With 1.3 million people displaced and armed groups controlling vast territories, organizing a free electoral process is impossible. The GSF’s mandate may need extension, as neutralizing gangs within a year is overly ambitious. Governance reform and institutional strengthening, particularly of the police, will take precedence, relegating elections to 2027 or later. Haiti is entering a period of intense conflict, with the GSF tasked with dismantling entrenched criminal networks while political leaders focus on restoring stability and defending institutions. Elections will remain postponed until security is manageable, prioritizing order over democratic processes.
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Pope praises ‘significant progress’ towards Gaza peace
In a significant address at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV on Sunday lauded the ‘notable advancements’ in peace negotiations concerning the Gaza conflict. The pontiff reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in the war-torn Palestinian territory and the liberation of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. His statement aligns with a wave of diplomatic efforts following Hamas’s favorable reaction to a peace proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at ending the protracted Israel-Hamas hostilities. ‘In recent hours, we have witnessed substantial progress in peace talks, which I fervently hope will culminate in the desired outcomes swiftly,’ the Pope declared after concluding a mass. He urged all stakeholders to remain steadfast in pursuing a ‘just and enduring peace,’ emphasizing the necessity of a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Additionally, Pope Leo XIV expressed profound concern over the escalating global tide of antisemitism, citing the recent terrorist assault on a synagogue in Manchester, which resulted in two fatalities and three severe injuries, as a ‘heartrending manifestation’ of this hatred. The Pope also conveyed his deep sorrow for the ‘immense suffering’ endured by the Palestinian populace in Gaza, underscoring the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
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Wave near Africa could gradually strengthen, possibly a depression by mid-late next week
A tropical wave currently situated between the west coast of Africa and the Cabo Verde Islands is generating a wide area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Meteorologists predict gradual development of this system over the coming days, with a possibility of it strengthening into a tropical depression by the middle to latter part of next week. As it progresses across the central tropical Atlantic, it is expected to approach the Leeward Islands. The likelihood of cyclone formation within the next 48 hours remains low, near 0 percent, but increases to a medium 50 percent chance over the next seven days. Residents in the affected regions are advised to monitor updates closely as the situation evolves.
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Antigua & Barbuda Joins Call for Stronger Backing of Regional Airlines
In a landmark session at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference, held at the Hilton Barbados Resort, tourism leaders from across the Caribbean convened to address pressing challenges in regional connectivity. The ministerial panel, featuring representatives from Belize, Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, Turks & Caicos Islands, Grenada, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, focused on strategies to reduce the high cost of regional travel, enhance airlift and ferry services, and promote sustainable tourism practices. The discussions underscored the urgent need for harmonized tax policies, stronger collaboration among regional carriers, and innovative solutions such as code-sharing and mileage systems to make travel more affordable. Antigua & Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Charles Fernandez, emphasized the importance of unified action, stating, ‘Whatever we do in the Caribbean should be more harmonized.’ Tobago’s Secretary of Tourism, Councillor Tashia Burris, echoed this sentiment, calling for greater support for regional carriers like interCaribbean, LIAT, and Caribbean Airlines. Turks & Caicos Minister of Tourism, Zhavargo Jolly, highlighted the collective power of Caribbean nations, asserting, ‘When you talk to one of us, you speak to all of us.’ The session concluded with a proposal to present Caribbean heads of government with a comprehensive document outlining actionable solutions to reduce travel costs, harmonize tax policies, and strengthen regional carrier collaboration. The CTO was also urged to take a leading role in coordinating these efforts, marking a significant step toward a more connected and sustainable Caribbean tourism industry.
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UN warns Haiti faces deepening food crisis amid gang violence
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where rampant gang violence is severely hindering aid delivery and leaving millions at risk of starvation. Reports from the Caribbean nation reveal that intense fighting, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, has blocked humanitarian access and disrupted the supply of essential goods. The WFP has been forced to cut food rations and suspend critical programs due to funding shortages, exacerbating the hunger crisis. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq highlighted that the agency has had to halt hot meals for displaced families and reduce food rations by half. Additionally, the lack of resources has prevented the WFP from stockpiling food ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season, leaving the country vulnerable to natural disasters. The crisis is further compounded by the fact that many farmers are unable to access markets due to insecurity, driving food prices even higher. Much of Haiti remains under the control of heavily armed gangs, whose influence has expanded beyond Port-au-Prince. Regional leaders, including CARICOM, have attempted to stabilize the situation, but efforts have been met with resistance from gang leaders like Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier. In response, the UN Security Council has approved the creation of a new Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to replace the Kenyan-led mission. The GSF, comprising 5,550 personnel, will work with Haitian authorities to neutralize gangs, protect critical infrastructure, and facilitate humanitarian access. Despite the challenges, the WFP has assisted over two million people since January and continues to support long-term food security initiatives, including school meal programs and community infrastructure projects. However, Haiti remains one of only five countries globally facing catastrophic hunger levels, with 5.7 million Haitians experiencing acute food insecurity. The WFP has appealed for $139 million in funding over the next year to address the crisis.
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Dominican Navy doubles protection of Baní Dunes amid environmental threats
Peravia, D.R. – The Dominican Navy has significantly bolstered its safeguarding of the Baní (Calderas) Dunes, deploying a substantial contingent of sailors to conduct military exercises while simultaneously monitoring this vital natural monument. Vice Admiral Juan Bienvenido Crisóstomo Martínez revealed that 288 sailors recently participated in rigorous hardening marches and training exercises at the site. These activities not only enhance military preparedness but also serve to deter environmental crimes, including deforestation, illegal farming, and unauthorized sand extraction. Crisóstomo Martínez underscored the Navy’s commitment to prioritizing the Dunes, merging defense readiness with ecological conservation. This initiative complements President Luis Abinader’s broader strategy to formalize the legal ownership of national parks and protected areas by transferring their titles to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. The first phase of this plan encompasses Loma Novillero National Park and Los Haitises National Park, with the Calderas Dunes potentially being integrated into the expanded framework. The move aims to improve management and curb illegal appropriation of these critical natural reserves.