Saint Lucia observes World Water Day today (March 22), under the theme “Leaving No One Behind.”

According to the UN, the theme is the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: as sustainable development progresses, everyone must benefit.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Development, Natural Resources, and Cooperatives, Hon. Ezechiel Joseph, said the observance invites reflection on the many water issues that affect us locally and on a global scale.

“Billions of people do not have access to safe water, and the situation is most acute for groups such as women, children, refugees and indigenous people,” he said. “The United Nations Assembly has recognized the human right to water and sanitation and acknowledged that clean drinking water and sanitation are essential to the realization of all human rights.

“In Saint Lucia, significant strides have been made to supply potable water to the population. This action has been implemented through augmenting water availability and implementing measures to protect water quality. Despite the challenges, we are working diligently to ameliorate the situation.”

The minister assured that while climate change has increased the vulnerability of the island’s water resources, government is working to implement projects that will improve water security for years to come.

“The unavailability of freshwater is a limiting factor for economic and social development in an island state like ours,” he said. “Moving forward, we are incorporating climate change adaptive measures to ensure that no one is left behind. In that regard, we have seen the implementation of some major projects such as: The John Compton Dam Rehabilitation, the Dennery North Water Supply Redevelopment, and the Vieux Fort Water Supply Redevelopment Projects, as well as water improvement projects in communities like Babonneau, Micoud (south), Bouton, Delcer and Anse La Raye.”

The minister added that the implementation of these projects are in-keeping with the strategy to ensure that the population enjoys access to a safe and consistent water supply.

For the full World Water Day address by the Hon. Ezechiel Joseph, download the attached PDF.