Protecting human health and the environment

A three-day regional workshop kicked off at Hotel Le Labourdonnais in Port-Louis, marking the official launch of a regional project. This initiative aims to promote sustainable, non-chemical development across small, developed islands in the Indian Ocean.

ISLANDS is a project jointly led by the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Environment Programme, with the goal of safeguarding human health and the environment from harmful chemicals and wastes. This international initiative spans 33 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) across the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific.

In the Indian Ocean region, the project is overseen by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Union of Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles, ensuring coordinated regional efforts. Discussions are underway with key partners including the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Agro-industry and Food Security, initiated by the Minister of the Environment. The objective is to establish a project steering committee and four implementation committees.

According to the Deputy Director, Mauritius faces specific challenges due to its small size, isolation, and limited economies.