PR – The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) and the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance collaboration on projects and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable land and water management across Caribbean Small Island Developing States (CSIDS).
The MOU was signed on Thursday, 16, October 2025, in St. George’s, Grenada, and aims to strengthen regional efforts aimed at combating land degradation, drought, and water scarcity, while advancing the shared goal of environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
“Without water, land suffers drought, impacting every aspect of life, including soil health and food security,” explained PISLM’s Executive Director Dr. Ronen Francis, as he highlighted the link between land and water systems.
Highlighting that the two cannot be separated when addressing environmental and development challenges, Regional Coordinator for the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C), Dr. Roxanne Graham said “Combining our expertise, networks, and shared vision, GWP-C and PISLM are better equipped to address the complex challenges of water and land management in our region—and to translate knowledge into action.”
“It’s never too late to take action on the ground to combat land degradation,” the Executive Director added. “And as we sign this MOU, we reaffirm that it’s also never too late to act to reduce water scarcity.”
The MOU supports the transformation of key sectors such as agriculture and natural resource management through integrated, evidence-based, and participatory approaches, all of which are essential to improving food and water security, combating land degradation, and promoting resilient livelihoods across the Caribbean region.
Both organizations are expected to work on several strategic areas, including soil and water resources management, drought & flood management, building capacity in water quality monitoring, research and practice into Integrated Land and Water Resource Management for SIDS, research and practice in innovative solutions to water scarcity and agriculture, and youth engagement and empowerment for effective natural resource management in SIDS.
Another of the strategic undertakings for both organisations is the joint implementation of the Caribbean Drought Initiative, approved at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in Riyadh Saudi Arabia last year, that would seek to assess drought conditions and their impacts across Caribbean states; Develop sustainable and innovative practices to help countries manage drought challenges; and Formulate practical solutions that enhance the resilience of Caribbean communities to drought and water scarcity.
The PISLM extends appreciation to the Chair of GWP-C Professor Paulette Bynoe, the Steering Committee, Dr. Graham-Victor- Regional Coordinator and the entire GWP-C team, expressing enthusiasm for the collaborative work ahead that will directly benefit Caribbean people, their livelihoods and the ecosystem.
