Hon. Kerryne James, Grenada’s Minister for Climate Resilience, Environment, and Renewable Energy of Grenada, has emphasized the necessity for collective efforts to ensure the sustainable management of water resources across the Caribbean region amid escalating climate challenges.
Her remarks were delivered during a keynote speech to an audience comprising senior policymakers, technical experts, and officials from six Caribbean nations at the recent “Leveraging SDG 6 for Accelerated Water Investments in Caribbean SIDS” workshop, held from July 9 to 10, 2025, in Grenada.
Representing Grenada remotely via video, Minister James spoke at the event organized by the Global Water Partnership Caribbean (GWP-C), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the G-CREWS Project, and the Government of Grenada. According to a Global Water Partner Caribbean press report, she highlighted that, despite the Caribbean’s reputation for verdant scenery and regular rainfall, the region continues to grapple with significant water stress, especially relating to storage capacity, access, and infrastructure development.
Minister James underscored the importance of advancing the Caribbean’s implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), which currently stands at only 39% — notably below the global average of 57%.
She stressed that effective water management transcends political and bureaucratic boundaries, requiring cross-sectoral coordination, robust institutional frameworks, and active community participation.
“In this pivotal moment, we must lead with clarity, courage, and compassion. The water challenge should be met not with fear, but with confidence—recognizing that every drop is vital, and that every citizen depends on our protection,” James stated.
The Grenadian official also called for accelerated progress, citing regional success stories and collaborative platforms such as the Global Water Partnership Caribbean (GWP-C) and the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA). The statement shared that James asserted that these organizations exemplify how regional cooperation and shared expertise can bolster efforts toward achieving comprehensive IWRM practices.
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