The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) is set to operate under a new governance framework following an agreement signed by sponsor countries’ Ministers responsible for the UNCCD . This agreement was formalized at the PISLM’s Gala and Award Ceremony held on April 11, 2024, at Royalton Resorts Grenada, and was further reinforced during the 1st Ministerial Council on April 12, 2024.
Ministers from Dominica, Grenada, and St. Lucia—Minister Frederick Cozier, Minister Adrian Thomas, and Minister Alfred Prospere respectively—officially signed the agreement, establishing PISLM as an Inter-Governmental Organisation (IGO). Minister Alfred Prospere of St. Lucia assumed the Chairmanship of the first Ministerial Council, taking over from Minister Cozier. Minister Prospere emphasized that this initiative would provide more focus and flexibility to PISLM’s mission of sustainable land management. The Ministerial Council also guided the PISLM Executive Committee and Secretariat in promoting sustainable land and soil management practices, integrating climate change adaptation strategies, and exploring further collaboration with international and regional institutions.
PISLM, which will be headquartered in Grenada, aims to support Caribbean Small Island Developing States (CSIDS) by enhancing land use planning and addressing issues like land degradation, soil erosion, and drought, which affect food security and livelihoods.