Communique from the Summit of Political and Business Leaders at Necker Island, British Virgin Islands on 17 May 2013

Abstract

Eight Caribbean governments signed a Leaders Declaration containing key commitments to marine and coastal conservation, including: “In each participating country and territory, to effectively conserve and manage at least 20% of the marine and coastal environment by 2020”. To help achieve this goal, governments agreed to have in place, by 2020, fully functioning sustainable finance mechanisms. In addition, a set of seven specific actions were agreed, covering a broad scope of issues related to the marine environment (e.g. marine protected areas, fisheries, tourism, climate change adaptation, and marine pollution). The consensus reached during the Informal, High-level Leaders Dialogue at the outset of the meeting was summarized in a Summit Communiqué, which highlighted some new issues for further action, such as protection for sharks and rays across the Caribbean region, and alternative energy.