At the end of the conference, participants are expected to work out a regional strategy for climate change implications in the WIO region and a regional plan for adaptation to climate change for the island States.

In his opening address, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Devanand Virahsawmy, said that the WIO region is most impacted by climate change although it contributes the least to greenhouses gas emissions. He cautioned that increasing pressures posed by demographic boost and the impacts of climate change will seriously compromise the coastal and marine ecosystem of WIO. Climate change can jeopardize economic gains that the WIO countries have achieved and influence adversely the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, he stated.

The Minister referred to the 4th assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which said that greenhouse gas emissions could rise substantially by 2030 thereby causing a global warming of 30 C within this century.

Climate change issues are high on the agenda of the government. Initiatives taken to increase climate resilience and adaptation capacity on climate change comprise, amongst others, the following projects: Maurice Ile Durable initiative; Food Security Fund; Eco-Village Programme; National Programme on Sustainable Consumption and Production and the development of elaborated frameworks for the sustainable management of coastal zones.