CARICOM seeks stronger biodiversity data to meet global targets

The Caribbean Community, CARICOM has called for stronger biodiversity statistics, data collection and monitoring systems to improve conservation efforts and track progress towards global environmental targets.

The call was made by the Senior Project Officer, Sustainable Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Ms Teshia Jn Baptiste, during side events at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Armenia.

Representing the secretariat, Jn Baptiste said the Caribbean had made progress in biodiversity conservation through investments in protected areas, the integration of biodiversity into national development policies and inclusive governance arrangements.

However, she said stronger data systems were needed to measure results, guide policy decisions, improve accountability and monitor progress towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Speaking at an event titled Responding to the Global Review: Sharing Sub-Regional Syntheses of Progress Towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, she emphasised the need to expand successful conservation initiatives across the Caribbean.

“CARICOM has demonstrated that progress is possible where we have invested in protected areas, biodiversity mainstreaming and inclusive governance. We should now focus on scaling these successful approaches across the Region to accelerate implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” she said.

Jn Baptiste also advocated a whole-of-government approach that integrates biodiversity considerations into agriculture, tourism, fisheries, infrastructure and national development planning.

At another side event, Connecting Regions, Accelerating Action: Strengthening the TSCC Network for KMGBF Implementation, she highlighted the role of the CARICOM Technical and Scientific Cooperation Centre in building national capacities through technical expertise, training, technology and knowledge-sharing.

She cited regional initiatives involving geographic information systems, DNA-based monitoring tools, early warning systems and citizen science as examples of how cooperation could improve biodiversity monitoring and data management.

“Small Island Developing States often face similar capacity constraints, and we can achieve greater impact by sharing technical expertise, training programmes, monitoring tools and implementation support through regional platforms,” she said.

Macron slams Trump over claims linking Muslim migrants to French riots

French President Emmanuel Macron has described claims by US President Donald Trump linking Muslim migrants to recent riots in France as “stupid”, accusing foreign leaders of exploiting the unrest for political gain.

Macron made the remarks on Wednesday after violent protests, looting and vandalism swept through several French cities, triggering a major security response and intensifying political debate over immigration, public order and the rising cost of living.

Trump had used the unrest to rally his supporters, making claims that Muslim migrants were responsible for the violence and urging Macron to close France’s borders.

Responding to the comments, Macron accused foreign actors of manipulating information about the disturbances and circulating misleading narratives about events in France.

“And that has led to comments that are as unacceptable as they are stupid, from many people, including foreign leaders,” Macron said.

Asked whether he was referring to Trump, the French president replied, “Among others.”

He also criticised the circulation of artificial intelligence-generated images allegedly depicting events that did not occur in France, warning against the use of misleading content to influence public opinion.

“We’ve had people claiming that we were invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists, which is completely false,” Macron said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said his office could provide relevant countries with information to prevent the spread of false claims.

Macron accused foreign leaders of using France’s domestic difficulties to advance their political interests, particularly during election campaigns.

The dispute comes as the French government faces mounting pressure to restore order following violent demonstrations over rising living costs.

The unrest has also exposed divisions over immigration, policing and the government’s handling of public discontent.

Macron made the remarks in Qatar at the end of a tour of Gulf Arab states aimed at securing additional energy supplies and addressing rising fuel prices.

His office said France was seeking to diversify supplies of oil, gas, diesel and jet fuel amid disruptions to global energy markets.

During the visit, Macron secured an additional 100,000 metric tonnes of diesel monthly from the United Arab Emirates, with another 100,000 tonnes expected from Bahrain.

The Élysée said additional supplies, including those from Saudi Arabia, could bring the total to nearly 295,000 tonnes monthly.

The French president said the government was also working with international partners to ease energy costs following an agreement by the Group of Seven wealthy democracies to release 100 million barrels of oil and fuel products from strategic reserves.

However, the additional supplies have yet to establish whether they will significantly ease public anger over the cost of living.

Macron acknowledged the concerns of students over underfunded schools, deteriorating facilities, staff shortages and the university admissions system, saying the government needed to address the broader causes of public dissatisfaction.

The unrest has also prompted authorities to consider tighter security measures, with further demonstrations planned by student groups, trade unions and the Yellow Vest movement.

Macron said the government would use its legal powers to prevent further violence and protect public property.

The dispute with Trump adds an international dimension to the crisis, as Macron seeks to defend France’s image while confronting domestic unrest and pressure over the economy.

US withdraws diplomats’ families from Gulf amid Houthi attacks

The United States has ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia following deadly attacks on the kingdom’s airport and oil infrastructure.

The decision comes amid escalating regional tensions and concerns over further attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces, with Washington also planning to withdraw family members from its missions in other Gulf countries.

US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the department had ordered the departure of non-emergency American government employees and their families in Saudi Arabia, citing attacks on civilian targets and critical infrastructure.

The attacks killed at least three people and injured eight others, according to Saudi authorities.

One person was killed and eight others injured in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, while two people died in a drone attack targeting a facility at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield.

Four US officials told Reuters that American missions in other Gulf states would also order family members to leave. Pigott, however, did not confirm changes to diplomatic missions outside Saudi Arabia.

The latest development follows an escalation of fighting in Yemen amid a wider regional conflict triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began in late February.

The conflict has disrupted global energy trade and heightened security concerns across the Gulf, a region central to international oil supplies and shipping.

Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said its air defences intercepted a drone attempting to strike a facility at the Shaybah oilfield, resulting in two deaths.

The country’s civil aviation authority separately reported the deadly attack on King Fahd International Airport.

The US Embassy in Riyadh had earlier issued a security alert warning of possible further Houthi attacks following deadly strikes, including an attack on Riyadh’s airport.

The embassy and a Central Intelligence Agency station operating from the facility were also targeted by drones in early March, as Iran launched attacks across the region.

The withdrawal order signals Washington’s growing concern over the security of its personnel as attacks threaten civilian facilities, diplomatic installations and energy infrastructure across the Gulf.