Just Caribbean Updates

The International Seabed Authority (ISA), headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, is headed to a crucial leadership election, with significant implications for the future of deep-sea mining. Leticia Carvalho, backed by Brazil, is challenging the current secretary-general, Michael Lodge, sponsored by Kiribati, reports The Guardian.

The election comes as the deep-sea mining industry faces increasing scrutiny over its potential environmental impacts, with calls for a pause on seabed exploitation growing among member states. The ISA, responsible for regulating deep-sea mining and protecting marine environments, has issued multiple exploration contracts but faces internal and external pressures regarding its transparency and the influence of mining interests. (The Guardian)

“… Accusations of trickery underscore the controversial nature of the agency’s coming agenda and the billions of dollars at stake,” reports the New York Times. “Some countries are fiercely opposed to the idea of mining the world’s deepest waters while others see it as a badly needed economic opportunity. Whoever helms the agency’s top post over the next few years will have considerable influence over these decisions.”

Lodge, who has been ISA secretary general since 2016, is campaigning for reelection to a third four-year term, just as the authority nears a pivotal phase in its regulation of deep-sea mining. Lodge seeks to steer the finalization of environmental rules essential for the governance of this emerging industry, reports The New York Times.

Carvalho, an oceanographer, espouses a more deliberative approach to determining regulations — and said no mining applications should be approved until that process is finalized. Rebuilding trust is key “ — trust between the subsidiary bodies, trust between the member states and the secretariat, trust between the secretariat with other systems, agencies and bodies that are taking care of sectors in the same space — because the creation of the Law of the Sea envisaged the multisectoral use of the common space of the ocean”, she told Mongabay. 

ISA faces potential applications for the first deep-sea mining exploitation licenses, notably from The Metals Company, which seeks to mine in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone. This area spans 1.7 million square miles between Hawaii and Mexico, with mining proposed at depths of 13,000 to 19,000 feet. (Business Standard)

The Caribbean and The World 

• CARICOM leaders have expressed varied responses to the recent Venezuelan presidential elections, where Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner amidst controversy. While Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali emphasized the need for a credible electoral process,  Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit quickly congratulated Maduro. In contrast, St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre adopted a more cautious approach, advocating for the validation of election results through independent audits and observer reports. (IWN)
  
  
• Caribbean countries split in Wednesday’s failed effort to pass an OAS resolution calling for transparency in Venezuela’s election. Suriname, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti and Guyana voted in favor. Barbados, Belize, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda and Bahamas abstained. Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago were absent.
  
  
• At the CARICOM summit in Grenada earlier this week, regional leaders expressed their determination to redefine the narrative surrounding the bloc’s achievements and criticized the media for not adequately highlighting its successes. Host and incoming CARICOM chairman, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, emphasized the importance of crafting their own narrative, while Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali called for a bold embrace of the region’s accomplishments. (IWN)
  
  
• Curaçao has officially become the sixth Associate Member of CARICOM. Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas of Curaçao emphasized that the island’s historical and cultural ties to the Caribbean are foundational to its commitment to regional integration, despite its political association with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. (Loop)
  
  
• Three Russian warships recently arrived in Havana, Cuba, for a working visit, signaling a continuation of the close ties between Russia and Cuba. This visit, which includes a training ship, patrol frigate, and refueling tanker, follows a similar deployment last month that featured a nuclear-powered submarine and was part of planned military exercises. The frequent visits by Russian naval forces to Cuban waters reflect Moscow’s ongoing effort to strengthen diplomatic support amid its war in Ukraine. (Loop)

Climate and Environmental Justice 

• Redefining credit ratings for Small Island Developing States: a pathway to climate resilience and economic stability – “This paper suggests three ways to reform credit rating methodologies to ensure a fairer financial landscape for SIDS and to help foster a resilient, equitable future for these vulnerable nations.”
  
  
• Listen to episode 9 of “Small Islands Big Picture” that explores the Blue Economy, discussing its potential to transform economic activities by focusing on sustainable use of ocean resources. Hosts Emily Wilkinson and Matthew Bishop are joined by experts Karuna Rana, Liam Saddington, and Nicole Leotaud to discuss the opportunities and challenges of this approach.
  
  
• Episode 33 of the “EcoVybZ Podcast,” titled “Spirituality in the Digital Age-Addressing Climate Crisis,” features a discussion with Isiah Cruz, a trailblazer in leveraging technology for regenerative environmental projects. The episode explores the intersection of indigenous wisdom, spirituality, and modern technological solutions for environmental healing. Listen. 
  
  
• “The devastation wrought by Beryl is a wake-up call. Climate analysts argue that we are experiencing “climate departure”, a new state where heat records and extreme temperatures become the norm”, writes Rosalea Hamilton, PhD, is founding director, Institute of Law & Economics for Jamaica Gleaner. “We stand at a critical juncture, with an opportunity to transform adversity into a catalyst for change. Let’s rebuild our governance systems to leverage the strength, wisdom, and aspirations of our communities in securing our future”, she concludes. 
  
  
• Local environmental groups like Grenada Land Actors (GLA) may be excluded from critical climate workshops in Grenada due to their ongoing legal disputes with the government, perceived adversarial positions, or strategic decisions by authorities to minimize dissent. These exclusions prevent them from participating in discussions crucial to the region’s environmental and climate resilience strategies. (Petchary´s Blog)
  
  
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is currently holding meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, to finalize new regulations for deep sea mining. This process has intensified debates about environmental and economic risks, particularly related to the extraction of polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor. Amidst this, the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is advocating for a moratorium on deep sea mining, citing significant potential harm to marine ecosystems and minimal economic benefits for sponsoring states like Jamaica. (Jamaica Gleaner)
  
  
• The case of Collins and Whyte v. Environmental Protection Agency and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (now ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd) involves a judicial review where the High Court required ExxonMobil to provide an unlimited parent company guarantee and environmental liability insurance as stipulated in its environmental permit. This requirement was to ensure that ExxonMobil could cover all costs associated with potential environmental damages from its petroleum operations in Guyana. (CommonWealth Lawyers Association)
  
  
• Episode 10 of “Small Islands Big Picture” podcast takes a comprehensive look at the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), held in St John’s, Antigua in May 2024. Hosts Emily Wilkinson and Matthew Bishop provide an in-depth review of the conference, particularly focusing on the newly agreed “Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS: A Renewed Agenda for Resilient Prosperity (ABAS).” They explore the conference’s atmosphere, the major discussions, and the key outcomes. Listen. 
  
  
• The discussions from two major conferences—the Small Island Developing States (Sids4) in the Caribbean and the African Development Bank (AfDB) conference in Africa—reveal a common theme: the necessity for significant financial reform to aid development and combat the impacts of climate change. “These regions are at a crossroads, bearing immense potential but blocked by the critical need for strategic investments, partnerships and reforms in the global financial architecture”, states Kenneth Mohammed, a freelance writer and Caribbean analyst with a focus on corruption, for The Guardian. 

Public Security

• The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is currently investigating two fatal police shootings that occurred in St Catherine and Hanover, involving 23-year-olds Mark Lewis and Jermaine Campbell. The incidents, part of a joint police and military operation and a surveillance patrol respectively, resulted in both men being fatally shot after alleged confrontations with the police. (Jamaica Gleaner)
  
  
• The history of policing in Guyana is deeply rooted in its colonial past, originating with British military units and evolving into a formal police force by the late 18th century. The Guyana Police Force, established in 1839, was heavily influenced by the British model, which prioritized control and coercion. This approach was particularly evident in its dealings with the black population and other ethnic groups, often leading to violent suppressions of uprisings and strikes, especially in the sugar estate areas. (Stabroek News)
  
  
• “Dancehall In/Securities: Perspectives on Caribbean Expressive Life” is an insightful new book on sale edited by Patricia Noxolo, ‘H’ Patten, and Sonjah Stanley Niaah. Published on March 24, 2022, by Routledge, this work delves into the complex interplay between in/security and Jamaican dancehall, providing a unique lens through which to view both local and global issues of security. 

Culture

• The “Summer Summer” exhibition at TERN Gallery in Nassau, Bahamas, features the work of three Caribbean artists: Leonardo Benzant, Ronald Cyrille, and Steven Schmid. This group exhibition, running from July 25 to August 24, 2024, showcases a compelling exploration of abstract figuration within Caribbean art practices. Each artist brings a unique perspective, using their media to delve into themes such as identity, spirituality, and landscape, transforming these concepts into vibrant two-dimensional artworks. (Repeating Islands)
  
  
• The “Benjamin Zephaniah – The Brighter Flame Exhibition,” currently open in Victoria Square, Birmingham, serves as a poignant tribute to the late poet and cultural Jamaican rooted icon, Benjamin Zephaniah. Celebrating his life and work, the alfresco photography show is part of the city’s 100 Days of Creativity program and will be available until July 31, 2024. (Repeating Islands)
  
  
• “Hurricane Season: Caribbean Art and Climate Change,” a visually striking and intellectually stimulating catalog accompanies the exhibition curated by Mia Laufer. With contributions from notable figures such as Dr. Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert and poets like Edwidge Danticat and Olive Senior, the catalog delves into the profound intersection of climate change, cultural expression, and community resilience in the Caribbean. (Repeating Islands)
  
  
• Antonio Cabán Vale, the beloved Puerto Rican singer-songwriter widely known as “El Topo,” has passed away at the age of 81. Renowned for his pivotal role in the ‘Nueva Trova’ music movement, which rose to prominence in the 1960s and blends traditional folk music with politically and poetically charged lyrics, Cabán Vale left an indelible mark on Puerto Rican culture. His song “Verde Luz” is particularly revered, often considered the island’s second national anthem due to its profound resonance with the Puerto Rican spirit. (Repeating Islands)

Opportunities 

• The Caribbean Oxford Initiative, known as “CaribOx,” is now inviting applications for its 2025 Visiting Fellowship program. This initiative seeks to foster substantial research collaborations between Caribbean researchers and their counterparts at the University of Oxford. The fellowship is designed to benefit not only the fellows but also their academic partners and the broader academic community at Oxford. Learn more. 

Events

• From September 9th to 13th, Island Innovation will host The Virtual Island Summit, an annual event that gathers more than 10,000 stakeholders from various island communities. This virtual conference offers an opportunity to engage with leading global experts and explore transformative projects in island settings. Register. 
  
  
• The Jamaica Climate Change Youth Council, in partnership with the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance, is organizing a protest against deep sea mining. This event will take place outside the Jamaica Conference Centre on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 11 am to 3 pm. The protest coincides with a meeting of international delegates at the International Seabed Authority, who are discussing regulatory guidelines for this potential new extractive industry. Learn more. 

Just Caribbean Updates/Jordana Timerman
https://caribbeannewsupdates.blogspot.com

August 1, 2024