The Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean Cooperative Measurement, Reporting and Verification (CCMRV) Hub have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve data collection and foster climate-resilient agriculture in Saint Lucia.
At the signing ceremony last Thursday, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Nicole Su, highlighted the significance of the tripartite collaboration and its benefits to the local agricultural sector.
“The CCMRV Hub has impressive experience in innovative projects in strengthening resilience against climate change in local communities,” Ambassador Su stated. “I’m sure that both the CCMRV Hub and the local farmers who participate in this project will find this tripartite manner of cooperation effectively bring invaluable experience and precious knowledge to the project.”
She also expressed gratitude to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, Alfred Prospere, and his team for their support in making the project possible.
With climate change posing significant threats to the planet, Ambassador Su noted that extreme weather events have had damaging impacts on livelihoods, particularly food security. She described the project as a crucial first step towards building sustainable development for Saint Lucia’s food security policy.
“I’d like to reaffirm that Taiwan is fully committed to working closely with our brothers and sisters of Saint Lucia in addressing these challenging times together,” she assured.
Minister Prospere stressed the importance of accurate data for decision-making and highlighted the project’s significant benefits to the agricultural sector. He said the project was “critical for us as a country to work towards reducing our food import bill”.
The minister also announced that his ministry will conduct an agriculture and fisheries census over the next few weeks to assess the impact of these sub-sectors on the local economy. The census will also evaluate farmers’ understanding of production factors, climate change mitigation, and other elements essential to their sustainability.
Programme Officer for the Caribbean Cooperative Measurement, Reporting and Verification (CCMRV) Hub, Benise Joseph, said the MoU signing formalised the partnership between the Taiwan Technical Mission in Saint Lucia and the CCMRV Hub. She noted that discussions on the project began in 2023 at the MRV Hub’s annual meeting in Saint Lucia, where potential collaborations between the two agencies were explored.
Describing the MoU as more than just a document, Joseph said it represents “a shared commitment to enhancing the agricultural sector in Saint Lucia and, hopefully, across the wider Caribbean.”
“More importantly, it aligns with our collective mission to combat climate change through innovation, data-driven solutions, and sustainable practices,” she added.
The CCMRV Hub, also known as the MRV Hub, is a regional institution dedicated to fostering technical excellence and supporting policy-relevant climate accounting across the Caribbean. The agency aims to strengthen the capacity of Caribbean nations by providing technical services that help governments fulfil their Paris Agreement commitments and transition to the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).
Joseph explained that the Climate Impact and Data Enhancement Project envisions a future where data-driven decision-making supports sustainable agricultural development while enhancing resilience to climate change.
“Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen data collection methodologies in the agricultural sector, introduce innovative technologies to improve climate-smart farming practices, and support evidence-based policy-making that aligns with climate adaptation and mitigation goals,” Joseph stated. “By strengthening data collection methodologies and introducing innovative technologies, we are laying the groundwork for the next generation of climate-smart farmers and policymakers.”
