Dr. Ronen C. A. Francis, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), has reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to advancing sustainable land and soil management initiatives across the Caribbean region.
Representing PISLM at the 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis, during the activities of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), Dr. Francis shared insights into key strategic recommendations and significant projects endorsed by the organization’s Ministerial Council earlier this year.
During his presentation, Dr. Francis highlighted four principal regional decisions and projects that received COTED approval, said a press release from the organization. These included the second phase of the CSIDS–SOILCARE project, the Caribbean Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Transformative Initiative, the Caribbean Drought Response Program, and the Caribbean Sand and Dust Storm Management Initiative.
In addition, it is reported that he emphasized the importance of increased investment by member states in sustainable land management, drought resilience, and achieving land degradation neutrality. Dr. Francis also called for stronger regional cooperation, urging countries to share knowledge more effectively and to integrate Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) objectives into their national development plans.
The 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, held under the theme “Sowing Change, Harvesting Resilience: Transforming Our Caribbean Food Systems for 2025 and Beyond,” served as a platform for these discussions.
Dr. Francis officially assumed his role as Executive Director of PISLM on August 1, 2025.
Photo credit: Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management
