The Chief Commissioner of Rodrigues, Mr Franceau Grandcourt, paid a courtesy visit today on the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr Rajesh Anand Bhagwan, at the seat of the Ministry in Port Louis.

The Junior Minister, Mrs Joanna Marie Bérenger, and the Member of Parliament, Mrs Dianette Henriette-Manan, were also present at the meeting which was held in connection with Mr Grandcourt’s participation at the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30).

In a statement after the meeting the Chief Commissioner stated that the discussions offered an opportunity to enhance collaboration between Rodrigues, the Ministry, and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, emphasising that environmental issues concern everyone.

According to Mr Grandcourt the meeting centered on waste management, covering both waste treatment and the potential export of non-recyclable waste to Mauritius. He further added that the legal framework governing waste management and how it can be effectively enforced in Rodrigues was also discussed.

Chief Commissioner Grandcourt further indicated that both the Minister and the Junior Minister have been invited to Rodrigues to engage in more detailed discussions on environmental matters, including Rodrigues’ participation at COP30. “Rodrigues has much to contribute at the COP and can also raise key environmental challenges alongside the Mauritian delegation,” he added.

The review of the Oil Spill Contingency Plan, with the aim of integrating Rodrigues into national preparedness efforts, thereby enhancing the island’s capacity to respond effectively in the future, was also on the agenda.