ST. LUCIA-ENVIRONMENT-OECS welcomes Martinique's designation by UNESCO.

The Volcanoes and Forests of Mount Pelee and the Pitons of Northern Martinique have become the third World heritage site in the Caribbean region after it was given the designation by UNESCO last weekend.

It joins the Pitons Management Area in St. Luci and Morne Trois Pitons National Park in Dominica.

Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) congratulated Martinique on achieving the designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site, saying 'OECS member states have a rich, diverse, and unique history that reverberates through our mountains and valleys'.

He said that the sub-regional grouping of which the French island enjoys associate membership is 'therefore happy that Montagne Pelee and the Northern Pitons have joined the Pitons in St. Lucia and Dominica's Morne Trois Pitons National Park inscription under the natural category, along with the other sites around the world to share our stories'.

On September 16, a French delegation had presented its case to the 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which met in Saudi Arabia, for Montagne Pelee and Pitons du Carbet's inclusion to the revered list. Last Saturday, the jury concluded with the approval of Martinique's candidacy.

Currently, there are 1,184 World Heritage sites in 166 countries across the globe, with three situated in the Caribbean region.

Two other sites in the OECS are inscribed under the cultural category - Antigua and Barbuda's Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites and St. Kitts and Nevis' Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park.

At the July meeting of the OECS Council of Ministers for Environmental Sustainability, OECS member states had reaffirmed support to Martinique in their candidacy towards...