The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) is an independent inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in their participation in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Since its inception, PISLM has been crucial in executing various Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects aimed at sustainable land management.
Integrated land use management is vital for SIDS due to their limited land space and competing economic activities. Environmental management in these regions is heavily influenced by land resource planning and utilization, which are closely linked to coastal and marine management and protection. The UNCCD provides a global framework for addressing land degradation and promoting sustainable land management, significantly contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 15.3), poverty eradication, and food security.
PISLM was established to enable Caribbean SIDS to address these challenges effectively. The initiative was adopted at the XIV Forum of Ministers of the Environment for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2003. The subsequent Caribbean Sub-regional Workshop on Land Degradation in 2004 marked the formal initiation of PISLM. It led to the adoption of a Partnership Declaration of Caribbean Small Island Developing and Low-lying Coastal States.
Initially supported by a coalition of UN Agencies, regional organizations, civil society, and Caribbean SIDS, PISLM was hosted by the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD). Over time, it has evolved into a self-sufficient organization. In 2014, PISLM became an officially registered autonomous inter-governmental convening mechanism for Caribbean SIDS’ participation in the UNCCD.
Recognized regionally and internationally as a leading organization in sustainable land management, PISLM leverages resources from the international financial community to undertake significant developmental actions in Caribbean SIDS. Its growth and credibility stem from regional efforts rather than external sources.
In April 2024, Caribbean ministers responsible for the UNCCD established PISLM as an independent inter-governmental organization, coordinated by the PISLM Secretariat with its headquarters in Grenada.
To facilitate interaction and dialogue among the national, regional and international partners and encourage the active participation of all major groups in the pursuit of the conservation and sustainable utilization of land resources in the Caribbean. As such, PISLM Support Office is a service provider and facilitates the implementation of the PISLM but does not implement actions itself. The Support Office is responsible for coordinating activities regarding the PISLM throughout the Caribbean region and the execution of the PISLM is intended to be completed by farmers, engineers, agencies etc.
The PISLM Support Office is responsible for implementation of activities from the Business Plan and reporting to the Task Force. Through the Support Office, all documents related to activities, meetings, evaluations, etc., can be viewed by the Task Force.
The PISLM Assembly comprises of Focal Points from each participating Party of the UNCCD and the BPOA Focal Point with responsibility for the implementation of the land resources component of the BPOA.
The main function of the PISLM Task Force is to provide operational policy guidance to the PISLM taking into consideration the policy directives which are provided by the various Ministerial Bodies.
The tenure of the PISLM Task Force rotates every 24 months. The Chairmanship of the Task Force rotates between the Non-CARICOM SIDS and the CARICOM SIDS and the meetings of the Task Force should be convened at least twice during the 24-month cycle of its tenure.
The composition of the PISLM Task Force shall comprise of five (5) UNCCD Focal Points, one Civil society organization and any three of the following Associate members : UNCCD, CARICOM Secretariat, UWI, UNEP, CYEN, FAO, CNIRD
The Expert Group/Committee on Science and Technology will be constituted to address scientific and technical issues relating to desertification, land degradation and drought taking into consideration the inter-linkages between the various MEAs in Caribbean SIDS. The actions of this expert group will be consistent with the relevant science and technology provisions of the UNCCD 10 Year Strategy and Implementation Framework.
The Civil Society Network along with the UNCCD Focal Points and BPOA Focal Points form the core of the Stakeholder Consultative process. Accordingly, the functions of the Network of Civil Society Organizations include:
The key role of these agencies is to provide technical assistance, including the provision of financial resources to support the implementation of the objectives of the PISLM.