“Access to reliable weather, water information could save lives, livelihoods” – Minister Mustapha

at 61st Session of the Caribbean Meteorological Council

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P, said Guyana is cognisant that the challenges posed by climate change are not unique to this country, but all members of the Caribbean Metrological Organisation (CMO).

Whether through floods, droughts, sea level rise, diversification of poorer coral reef and fishing, fisheries, saltwater intrusion, and rising temperatures, Minister Mustapha said the effects are widely felt.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, MP

To this end, he said access to timely and reliable weather, climate and water information could promote evidence-based decision making, which could ultimately save lives and livelihoods.

He was the featured speaker at the opening of the 61st session of the Caribbean Meteorological Council.   The two-day virtual confab is being hosted by Guyana.

He said Guyana is committed to the integration of weather, climate and water agendas to the national resilience policy.

“In this specific case, the hydrometeorological services in its own national regulators strategic plan, was originally developed with support under the Climate Resilience and Early Warning System project.

The Caribbean Hydrometeorological Organisation (Hydromet) strategic plan, has allowed Guyana to align the national priorities and weather, water and climate with the ambitions regionally by the CMO and internationally by the WMO.”

He that the provision of reliable hydrometeorological data for local and international partners is a global ‘public good’. With support from partnering organisations, Guyana was able to almost double automated observations.

“Additionally, true to its commitment, government has made significant investment in hydrometeorological services, including technological advancement, as well as improving the human capacity.

In the last year alone, we have upgraded the country’s climate data management system to international standards, inclusive of training of local staff, which is currently ongoing and invested in the procurement of computing power to facilitate climate modeling,” he said.

The minister noted that over the next few years, staff will be working with international partners to enhance the country’s climate modeling capacity.

“Guyana is prepared to collaborate in the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation to allow other member states to benefit from this landmark investment.”

He said Guyana has also commissioned its first national water quality laboratory, a demonstration of Guyana’s commitment to providing quality water.

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