The Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean) convened its 12th Annual Steering Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre.
The BCRC-Caribbean team participated in person, while national focal points from the fifteen (15) Caribbean Parties to the Basel Convention joined virtually. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the Centre’s work, discuss ongoing and planned initiatives, and consider priorities for strengthening chemicals and waste management across the region.
Opening the Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Anand Maraj, Director (Ag.), BCRC-Caribbean, who welcomed participants and opened the day’s discussions.
Opening remarks were delivered virtually by Mr. Sanjay Singh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development and Chair of the BCRC Steering Committee, and Mr. Alain Wittig, Programme Officer, Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.
Reviewing BCRC-Caribbean's Work
Following the adoption of the agenda and review of the minutes of the 11th Steering Committee Meeting, the BCRC-Caribbean team presented updates on the Centre’s operations and regional work.
Ms. Amara Prevatt, Project Coordinator, provided an operational update, while Ms. Shalina Rooplal, Research Analyst, presented on developments relating to the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions, the Global Framework on Chemicals, the BCRC-Caribbean Business Plan 2024–2027, and the Centre’s core work.
Mr. Joshua Prentice, Research Officer, also highlighted funding opportunities and open calls for proposals relevant to Parties to the BRS Conventions.
Reviewing BCRC-Caribbean's Work
A major part of the meeting focused on BCRC-Caribbean’s portfolio of ongoing, previously executed and planned projects.
Participants received updates on initiatives including the GEF ISLANDS Programme, National Implementation Plan activities, the Elimination of Hazardous Chemicals from Supply Chains Integrated Programme in Trinidad and Tobago, the Global Chemicals Monitoring Programme, chemicals and waste management work in Saint Lucia, plastic waste education, and ecosystem restoration in Saint Vincent.
Updates were also provided on work relating to POPs, end-of-life refrigeration and cooling equipment, PCBs, sustainable tourism, implementation of the Stockholm Convention, PFAS-related firefighting foam, and proposals under the UNEP Special Programme.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration
The final segment focused on collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Ms. Naphtali John, Research Officer, provided an update on collaboration with other institutions, while Ms. Jewel Nicome, Communications and Knowledge Management Officer, presented knowledge products and tools developed by BCRC-Caribbean during 2025–2026.
Representatives from 15 Member States joined the meeting virtually from across the Caribbean.
Moving Forward Together
The 12th Annual Steering Committee Meeting provided an opportunity to review progress, exchange perspectives and help guide BCRC-Caribbean’s continued work.
With the BCRC-Caribbean team gathered in person and Member States connected virtually, the meeting reflected the regional collaboration that supports stronger, environmentally sound chemicals and waste management across the Caribbean.