Ministry of Environment Seeks US Expertise for Risk Management

21st February: In a diplomatic overture, Rajesh Bhagwan, the Minister of the Environment, Solid Waste Management, and Climate Change, appealed to the United States for assistance in tackling pressing environmental challenges facing Mauritius. His discussions with the US Ambassador, held during a courtesy visit in Ébène, were marked by a warm and productive spirit.

Accompanied by Deputy Minister Joanna Marie Bérenger, Bhagwan articulated the potential for deepening the existing collaborative ties between the two nations.

“Our meeting was both cordial and fruitful,” he remarked, highlighting the mutual interest in advancing cooperation.

The Minister outlined a bold request for American experts to provide training for the Ministry’s personnel in crucial areas such as disaster risk management and oil spill response.

Furthermore, he pointed to the need for US knowledge and experience in recycling practices and solid waste management, areas where Mauritius struggles significantly.

Bhagwan also emphasised the importance of US support for the Beach Authority in managing public beaches and ensuring safe bathing areas for residents and tourists alike.

His appeal did not stop there; he sought American expertise to combat coastal erosion, a pressing concern for Mauritius’s vulnerable coastal regions.

As the world faces an escalating climate crisis, Minister Bhagwan’s entreaty serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for international cooperation in environmental stewardship.

The outcome of these discussions could well be pivotal for the island nation as it navigates the stormy waters of ecological preservation and sustainability.

Source: Le Mauricien