Queens Hotel
Paramaribo, Suriname
21th March 2014
Mrs. Henna Uiterloo, Permanent Secretary Environment
Staff of the Ministry of ATM
Esteemed guest, Dr. Thomas Conway
Officials from other Government Ministries and Agencies
Mrs. Gerda Wesenhagen, Project Coordinator, other members Project Team
Ladies and gentlemen, Members of the press
I am most pleased to be able to say a few words to you today at this National Action Plan Workshop, as one of the important milestones of the Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management project for Suriname. This project is implemented through the Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment (ATM) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funding from the SAICM Quick Start Trust Fund.
The primary objective of this Global Initiative is to facilitate the integration of sound management of chemicals into national development planning processes in order to support sustainable development in developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
To date the project for Suriname has delivered the following results: an analysis of the national chemical situation, training on occupational health and safety, sensitization to SAICM approach, identification of priority action steps and related action plan. Your role here today is critical in supporting the finalization of this action plan and to provide guidance and ideas to better ensure that it is implemented. One way of supporting that the action plan is implemented is by becoming its greatest advocates within your Ministry, Company or social surroundings.
Key objective identified in the draft National Action Plan is accelerated building of legal, institutional and physical infrastructure for the sound management of chemicals in Suriname to move the country towards the SAICM 2020 Goal.
These cross cutting actions are the primary focus and denominator of the draft Action Plan seeing as they are catalytic and should facilitate sector, company, institute or individual specific action.
Ladies and Gentlemen, what are not sufficiently appreciated are the critical role, sensitization, education and awareness that targets the different audiences to the threats chemical pose to peoples’ health, livelihoods and life chances and that these differently impact on women, men and children. We cannot stress this enough. The differences in gender and the gender division of labor determines different occupational profiles and risks that women and men face and also have to be taken into consideration in prioritizing urgent actions in the chemicals management.
Ladies and gentlemen, UNDP is privileged to collaborate with the Government of Suriname through the Ministry of ATM and sister agency UNEP in the SAICM project. We thank the Government of Suriname, and more particularly the Ministry of ATM for the excellent partnership we enjoy and look forward to deepening and strengthening this relationship into the future.
In closing, I would like to wish you an informative and successful workshop.
I thank you
Armstrong Alexis
Deputy Resident Representative UNDP Suriname