MINISTER of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill represented Guyana at a side event titled “Leveraging Risk Data and Analytics in Delivering Resilient Infrastructure” during the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), held from May 27-30 in Antigua.

The Minister emphasized the critical role of resilient infrastructure in safeguarding SIDS communities from natural disasters.
He highlighted Guyana’s vulnerability due to its low-lying coastal territory, which faces threats from both oceanic flooding and extreme rainfall. Traditional infrastructure systems, stressed Edghill, are inadequate in the face of climate-related risks.

Edghill underscored the unique challenges faced by SIDS in building resilient infrastructure, including limited resources, geographic constraints, and the ever-present threat of climate change. He argued that leveraging risk data and analytics is crucial for SIDS, given their greater resource constraints compared to developed nations.

The Minister stressed the importance of data and analytics in overcoming disaster-related challenges. He explained how data can inform decision-making, while analytics provide the tools to extract valuable insights. By harnessing these tools, SIDS can better understand disaster risks and develop targeted interventions to mitigate them.

Minister Edghill emphasized that risk data and analytics can inform decision-making processes for infrastructure development and disaster preparedness. He highlighted the importance of establishing robust risk assessment frameworks that utilize historical data, scientific modelling, and predictive analytics to assess potential hazards.

He underscored the need to integrate risk data and analytics into policy frameworks and urban planning processes. He advocated for a holistic approach that considers social, economic, and environmental factors alongside technical expertise. Collaboration among stakeholders, including vulnerable communities, is essential to ensure their voices are heard and needs are met.

Edghill concluded by calling for collaboration among governments, international organisations, and the private sector. This collaboration should focus on investing in resilient infrastructure, supporting SIDS in addressing data gaps, and promoting the adoption of innovative technologies for leveraging risk data and analytics.

The SIDS4 conference aims to establish a new action programme for SIDS, with a focus on practical solutions, new partnerships, and co-operation at all levels. The draft outcome document includes a commitment to “scale up the planning, development and management of sustainable and resilient infrastructure” across various sectors.