Signature of Agreement between the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable
Development and the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the Project
on Capacity Development on Climate Change Measures in Mauritius
27 March 2014
3rd Floor, Conference Room, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable
Development
Welcome Address by Hon Devanand Virahsawmy, GOSK

Ms Kaoru Takahashi, Project Formulation Adviser, Madagascar Office, Japan
International Cooperation Agency,

Mr Simon Springett, Resident Representative, UNDP Country Office;

Representatives of the European Union, l’Agence Française de Développement and
Indian Ocean Commission,

Members of the Press,
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to be in your midst this morning for the signature ceremony of the
Agreement between the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable and the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the provision of technical assistance for
implementing the project on: ‘Capacity Development on Climate Change Measures
in the Republic of Mauritius.’ Let me begin by extending a very warm welcome to our
foreign guests from the Government of Japan and Japan International Cooperation
Agency at this event.
Climate change is a global challenge that demands a rapid and decisive response
from every nation. In order to face it and to contain its effects, it is necessary that
each country takes bold actions within its own boundaries. For over two decades, the
answer to the challenge of climate change has been presented as a shared
responsibility in the international negotiation arena.
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The main objective of the National Climate Change Adaptation Policy Framework for
the Republic of Mauritius is to foster the development of policies, strategies, plans
and processes to avoid, minimize and adapt to the negative impacts of climate
change on the key sectors namely, water, agriculture including terrestrial ecosystem,
fisheries and marine ecosystem as well as tourism and coastal management and
also to prevent damage to human settlements and infrastructure and loss of lives.
One of the key policy principles of the Framework is to ensure that all segments of
our society are adequately informed on climate change, including the risks involved
and the impacts on our economy, but more importantly on the role of the community
in building resilience against climate change.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Latest scientific reports confirm that climate change indicators are in the ‘red’.
Carbon dioxide concentration reached 400 parts per million in May 2013. According
to the latest World Risk Report, 2012, Mauritius is among the top 15 countries with
the highest disaster risk (ranked 13) and is ranked 7th on the list of countries most
exposed to natural hazards.
As mentioned in Article 6 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC), calls on governments to educate, empower and engage all
stakeholders and major groups on activities relating to climate change have to be
proceeded. For this purpose, Climate Change Education (CCE) and public
awareness are among the most effective, durable and long term solution to combat
climate change and bring a change in the mindset of citizen with regard to risks
mitigation and adaptation at the individual, family and community levels.
A Climate Change Information, Education and Communication Strategy and Action
Plan has already been developed to inform all citizens in combating and adapting to
climate change. The target is to sensitize 400,000 citizens by the year 2016 and
1 million people by the year 2020.
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As part of the action plan, the following developments have been achieved:
a) a Training Manual for Youth on Climate Change; and
b) a Toolkit containing 111 Actions for Youth to help Combat Climate Change
in Mauritius
Climate change poses several challenges to every sector in the Mauritian society;
attending to them requires an effective and coherent coordination with other
countries. Since, Japan have dedicated programmes on Climate Change Education
(CCE) my Ministry has made a request to the Government of Japan through the
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for support with a view to strengthen
the capacity development of the Republic of Mauritius to deal with climate change
issues.
We are grateful to the JICA for providing assistance to the on-going project on
coastal protection and for accepting further assistance for the capacity development
on Climate Change Measures in Mauritius to enhance Climate Change Education
and Public Awareness activities.
Coastal zone is one of the most complex and productive ecosystem of this planet. As
well as providing habitat to various species, it also make up for significant benefits
for the society as well as the natural ecosystems. Indeed, the coastal zone of
Mauritius generates annual revenue of Rupees 1 trillion and is considered to be a
key pillar of our economy. Unfortunately, our coastal and marine resources, upon
which our country is so dependent, is being threatened due land and sea-based
activities and is also particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
The damaging results are the degradation of the coastal ecosystems, exacerbated
beach erosion and poor water quality.
In view of ensuring the protection of our natural resources and of our fragile coastal
ecosystem, my Ministry had approached the Japanese Government for Technical
Assistance for the implementation of the “Capacity Development in Coastal
Protection and Rehabilitation in Mauritius” project, to which the Government of Japan
had responded positively. The overall goal of the project is to formulate a “Coastal
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Conservation Plan” which will deal with the erosion issues in a holistic and integrated
manner taking into consideration adaptative and preventive measures to be adopted,
and therefore meet the expectations of the Government of Mauritius. The project
started in May 2012 and is expected to be completed in 2015. The JICA team of
experts have already carried out extensive surveys and baseline data collection. The
findings of their surveys have been compiled in the first Progress Report which was
presented on the 17th June 2013. 12 coastal sites have been selected for coastal
conservation and recovery plan. Out of the 12 sites, 7 sites, including Grand Sable
and Pointe d’Esny, have been chosen as demonstration sites and for capacity
building purposes.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The huge challenge of climate change demands urgent consideration through the
development of adaptation measures, policies and capacity building. The
Government of Japan, through JICA, has renewed the regional cooperation by
providing technical assistance for the implementation of the ‘Capacity Development
on Climate Change Measures in the Republic of Mauritius.’ JICA will also donate
equipment meant for strengthening CCE and awareness raising as well as provide
training to stakeholders in Mauritius and in Japan. The experts will assist the relevant
stakeholders in preparing materials.
The duration of the project will be two years and the cost is estimated at USD
800,000. 4 Experts will be recruited by JICA to work on these two activities and JICA
will provide equipment as well as training to our concerned organisations.
With a view to better coordinate and monitor the implementation of the
recommended policies and activities on climate change, a Project Steering
Committee will be set up under the chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary of my
Ministry.
The Committee will comprise, amongst others, representatives of the
Prime Minister’s Office (Mauritius Meteorological Services), MID Commission, the
Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Development, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land
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Transport and Shipping, Ministry of Housing and Lands, Ministry of Education and
Human Resources, the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security, the Ministry of
Fisheries, the Ministry of Local Government and Outer Islands,
the Ministry of
Tourism and Leisure, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family
Welfare, the Mauritius Oceanography Institute, the Mauritius Institute of Education,
the Agricultural Research Extension Unit, the University of Mauritius and the
Mauritius Council of Social Services.
Before concluding, I would like once again to express my gratitude to all national
stakeholders and partners supporting us in this crucial combat. Addressing climate
change requires a comprehensive and a multi-disciplinary approach. If we want to
successfully reduce the risks posed by climate change, we will need the full
commitment and involvement of everyone.
With these few words, I thank you once again ladies and gentlemen for attending
today’s panel discussion and I look forward to a fruitful exchange of ideas to enrich
the ongoing national debate on climate change.
I thank you for your attention.
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