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Recently, the Government of Dominica presented keys to 42 deserving Dominicans for homes constructed under the 'Housing Recovery Project.' Dr. Genora Joseph, the Project Manager, emphasized that these new homes will significantly enhance the lives of the recipients. The Housing Recovery Project has engaged 49 contractors and has successfully delivered a total of 248 homes to date. As of March 18th, 2024, the 42 beneficiaries have officially become homeowners.

As Consumer Rights Day was commemorated worldwide on Friday, attention shifted towards the evolving landscape of consumer rights, notably within the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). In an era increasingly shaped by data and algorithms, ensuring fair and responsible AI usage for consumers emerged as a pressing concern. In the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) consistently advocated for expanded consumer rights in the digital sphere. Recent initiatives emphasized the importance of addressing contemporary challenges while fostering a marketplace characterized by equity and transparency. As the digital economy continues to expand, consumers were encouraged to familiarize themselves with the implications of AI. While AI offers various benefits such as convenience and personalized experiences, it also presents risks, particularly concerning consumer data rights and privacy. Through awareness and active engagement, consumers can navigate these complexities and advocate for policies that protect their interests. The CCC plans to release a study on data protection and privacy commissioned by the CCC, funded by the Commonwealth Secretariat, and conducted by London Economics. This study examines the impact of data protection and privacy regulations on competition and consumer protection within the Caribbean Single Market & Economy (CSME).

Raymond Lawrence, former Chief Cultural Officer, expressed dissatisfaction with the sluggish pace of rehabilitation efforts for the Arawak House of Culture. He emphasized the lack of progress six years after Hurricane Maria, lamenting the absence of initiatives to support the sustainability of the arts industry, despite the emergence of numerous cultural and arts groups on the island.

Dr. Thomson Fontaine, leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), echoed the growing calls for change in Dominica, particularly emphasizing the critical need for effective governance. Speaking to a gathering in Grand Bay on Sunday, he underscored the significance of engaging in dialogues on electoral reform as a means to both honor the legacy of past leaders, such as the late Prime Minister Pierre Charles, and to improve governance standards. Despite Charles's truncated tenure, his advocacy for good governance remains relevant. Dr. Fontaine urged Grand Bay residents to seize the opportunity presented by Electoral Reform Assemblies to showcase Dominica's potential for governance improvement. He encouraged them to embrace electoral reform as a means to empower themselves in selecting representatives who can drive economic and social development for the community.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts an average growth rate of 4.5% for Dominica in 2024-2025. According to the Staff Concluding Statement from the 2024 Article IV Mission conducted in Dominica from March 5-14, the IMF credits the projected growth to the recovery of stayover tourism to pre-pandemic levels, efforts to expand agriculture, and progress made in priority infrastructure projects. "The outlook remains positive, predicated on the full recovery of stayover arrivals, implementation of key investment plans, and prudent fiscal management. “Inflation is projected to converge to 2 percent consistent with trading partner dynamics. The transition to geothermal production, the new airport and hotel projects to expand tourism capacity, and projects to bolster resilient infrastructure are expected to yield long-term growth dividends and reduce external imbalances,” the report stated.

Jeanelle Brisbane, Assistant Forest Officer, has announced the agenda for the Forestry Division's series of events, in conjunction with Dominica's celebration of Forest Week 2024. The activities will commence with an exhibition at the Botanical Gardens and will conclude with an award ceremony honoring forestry officers. The event is set to run from March 18th to 22nd, 2024. Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our planet and supporting life in numerous ways. They act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping mitigate climate change. Forests also provide habitat for a diverse array of plant and animal species, contributing to biodiversity conservation. Additionally, forests regulate water cycles, prevent soil erosion, and provide essential ecosystem services such as pollination and air purification. Moreover, forests are vital for human well-being, as they provide resources such as timber, food, medicine, and recreational opportunities. Protecting and sustainably managing forests is essential for ensuring a healthy environment, combating climate change, and promoting sustainable development.

Mathan Walter, the Director of Trade, explained the Ministry of Trade's involvement in embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI), noting its initial stages of development and subsequent growth. He stressed the importance of public awareness initiatives to educate people about the increasing prominence of AI, which he identified as a key priority for the ministry. Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. AI technologies include machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. These systems can analyze large amounts of data, recognize patterns, and make predictions or decisions with little to no human intervention. AI is being increasingly integrated into various sectors, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and retail, to improve efficiency, productivity, and decision-making processes.

This week, two of the artists represented by the Vetivert Contemporary Fine Art Gallery of Dominica returned home with their curator after showing in a dynamic and inspiring Fair in Barbados. The 14th edition of the Caribbean Fine Art (CaFA) Fair Barbados, took place from March 6th to 10th, at the Bagnalls Point Gallery, Pelican Village Craft Center in Bridgetown. The artists represented by Vetivert Contemporary were award-winning and internationally collected artists; Carol Sorhaindo, Micheal Lees, Marica Honychurch and Aaron Hamilton as well as emerging Sculpture and Jewelry Artist Yaena Eugene Carbon. A diverse collection of paintings, sculpture and photographs were showcased in a specially curated room within the fair, offering attendees a unique and immersive experience of Dominican art. Visitors were able to experience a thought-provoking exhibition that explored pressing social issues and histories. Artists and Curator Carla Armour spoke of the significance of the Gallery showing at an international fair, “our attendance at CaFA means that we showed the work of 5 of our artists to a new market, opened opportunities for our artists to network and broaden conversations around regional collaborations and international opportunities.” In addition to the exhibition, Armour was also invited to present and moderate a panel discussion on the Finalé event Sunday, March 10th, 2024. The panel was introduced by CaFA Fair director Anderson Pilgrim, with presentations by David Emmanuel Noel, Artist & Director of Occhi Arts & Entertainment and Tony Cole of Cole’s Art Gallery (UK), Jeanelle Brisbane - founder of Wild Dominique (via video), and Mr. Richardo Marshall, Director R2RP in the Prime Minister's Office, Barbados. The engaging presentations on the topic; ‘Artists in their environment, how their work is informed by their role as climate change collaborators, commentators and change motivators’, inspired in-depth discussions and debates. "It was an honour to represent our artists and moderate the panel discussion on a hybrid stage, globally digital and in-person at CaFA." said Carla Armour. "Our participation in this event marks a significant milestone in our Gallery’s journey towards international recognition and market visibility for our local Artist and Dominica’s Creative sector." The new gallery installed their first exhibition of Fine Art paintings and photographs last April with follow-up installations in October and December 2023. Vetivert Contemporary Fine Art Gallery of Dominica is located at Lacou Restaurant & Private Dining Room within the Historic Melrose House and courtyard situated on the edge of Roseau’s French Quarter. "Our vision is to provide our represented Dominican artists with mentorship, curation, and international exposure, to position our art alongside the best in the world," says Carla Armour, Curator and one of Vetivert Contemporary’s 8 represented Artists.

At the event marking the 20th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Dominica and China, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit discussed his decision to recognize the One-China Policy during his tenure. He stressed that this decision prioritized Dominica's national interests, aiming to seamlessly align foreign policy with domestic priorities. Skerrit also pointed out the successful partnership between the Chinese Agricultural Mission and the government in strengthening the agriculture sector. He highlighted their joint efforts to improve various sectors of the economy, demonstrating the shared goals and interests of both nations.

The governments of the United States of America and the United Kingdom continue to collaborate with Eastern Caribbean justice sector stakeholders to bolster the region's criminal justice systems. Last week, the Sentencing Guidelines Advisory Committee (SGAC) of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) met in Saint Lucia to advance their work on new and revised Sentencing Guidelines. Since the introduction of the first set of Guidelines in 2019, the ECSC Sentencing Guidelines Project has continually evolved, and now consists of 22 Guidelines across five major offence categories in nine countries. These Guidelines provide guidance on sentencing approaches used by judges and magistrates for offences such as sexual crimes, corruption, money laundering, and drug and firearm offences. Supported by the US-UK Criminal Justice Reform Project and the UK-funded Serious Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Programme (SOCAP), the March 4-5 meeting aimed to enhance the effectiveness of key institutions in the criminal justice sector across the Caribbean. The US-UK Criminal Justice Project has been instrumental in supporting the ECSC throughout the development, publication, and sensitization activities related to these Guidelines. Sirah Abraham, Criminal Justice Advisor for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, praised the ECSC's commitment to the Sentencing Guidelines Project. She highlighted the Guidelines' role in streamlining sentencing processes and increasing understanding among victims, witnesses, offenders, and the public, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system and bolstering public trust in the judiciary. Sirah Abraham remarked: “I am heartened to see the dedication of The Honourable Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, The Honourable Dame Janice Pereira, and the Sentencing Guidelines Advisory Committee in developing and keeping under review the ECSC Sentencing Guidelines over these past few years. The Guidelines have gone a long way in streamlining the approach taken by judges and magist rates to sentencing offenders, which is a critical aspect of their work. Further, the consultative, and evidence-based approach taken to the development and revision of the Sentencing Guidelines has made the sentencing process in relation to serious offenses much more readily understood by victims/survivors, witnesses, offenders and the public.” The SGAC was established by the Chief Justice of the ECSC, The Honourable Dame Janice M. Pereira, who also sits on the Committee and is chaired by ECSC Judges, The Honourable Justices Trevor Ward and Iain Morley. The Committee draws on multi-country and multi-stakeholder expertise across the criminal justice system including the courts, the social sciences, prosecuting authorities, lawyers, social welfare, and the public with members hailing from the Eastern Caribbean, the wider Caribbean region, and the United Kingdom.

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) successfully launched the "Enhancing Eco -systems and Coastal Protection for Climate Change Resilience in the Caribbean" (ECP-Caribbean) project. Held at the ROK Hotel Kingston Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Kingston, Jamaica, yesterday’s event marked a significant milestone in the region's efforts to increase climate resilience and protect vital coastal ecosystems. Ms. Patricia Prosser, Senior Development Officer, Caribbean Regional Development Program–NDE, Global Affairs Canada in her remarks declared that the Government of Canada is committed to partnering with CCCCC and organizations throughout the region to advanc climate resilience, protect nature, and halt biodiversity loss. The Government of Canada has allocated CAD12 million to support this significant project. This financial contribution combined with approximately CAD 0.81 million from the CCCCC, underscores the collaborative effort driving impactful initiatives. The objective of the ECP-Caribbean initiative is to strengthen the climate resilience of communities and people in the Caribbean by revolutionizing the management and conservation of coral reefs and coastal ecosystems. Through innovative approaches and fostering collaborative alliances, the project aims to address the urgent challenges presented by climate change and safeguard the welfare of coastal populations across seven CARICOM nations, namely Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname. With a focus on enhancing the health and resilience of coral reefs and coastal ecosystems, the project is poised to generate widespread benefits, positively impacting both current and future generations. ​ The launch event brought together key stakeholders including representatives from civil society organizations, local communities, and project partners. Participants had the chance to familiarize themselves with the goals and initiatives of the ECP-Caribbean project, while also participating in meaningful conversations regarding the significance of preserving coastal ecosystems for the future of the region. Lead Project Development Specialist Dr. Donneil Cain remarked on the CCCCC’s hope for theproject stating: "It is our hope that this project marks the beginning of a continuous, country -region-driven inclusive consultative process that fosters greater engagement with Global Affairs Canada and builds bridges amongst the technocrats and decision makers, especially those managing, protecting and conserving ecosystems across the Caribbean. I therefore encourage you to take full advantage of opportunities afforded to us under the ECP-Caribbean Project. The project is expected to reach at least 250,000 direct beneficiaries and 3.3 million indirect beneficiaries through activities that will ensure the protection and health of coastal and marine eco-systems, thereby increasing the Caribbean’s resilience to climate change. The CCCCC is dedicated to the successful implementation of the ECP-Caribbean project, working closely with local communities, governments, and stakeholders to achieve its ambitious goals. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainability, the project aims to make a lasting difference in the fight against climate change and the preservation of Caribbean ecosystems. - END

During the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between China and Dominica, Chinese Ambassador H.E Lin Xianjiang emphasized the enduring and strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations over the past two decades, especially in recent years. Ambassador Lin Xianjiang underscored the productive interactions between China and Dominica, highlighting the accomplishments of both countries during this period. The Ambassador reiterated the commitment to upholding the independence of both nations and providing mutual support on matters concerning their respective core interests, guided by the leadership of both China and Dominica.