Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore to be Featured Speaker at First-Ever Turks & Caicos...

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, B.W.I. -- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore will be the keynote speaker of the first-ever Environmental Conference hosted by the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, in collaboration with the Ocean Conservancy and the National Coral Reef Institute

at Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center, to examine the mutual interdependency between local actions and global initiatives. The conference, "Fostering a Green Culture in Small Island Nations," which will be held in Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands on November 18th through 20th 2007, will also serve as a venue for Ministerial Heads and Ministers of the Environment from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the British Overseas Territories to meet and discuss policy initiatives, legislative advancements, technological innovations and research that have been undertaken in environmental management in their respective countries.

Mr. Gore will share his theme of Thinking Green: Economic Strategy for the 21st Century, arguing that the physical changes in our planet will eventually influence our global economy. He will encourage business audiences to consider broader issues - environmental, social and political - when planning economic strategy.

"We are honored to bring together these distinguished leaders and organizations for a thoughtful discussion on the role the Caribbean Nations play in support of environmental sustainability in the coming millennium," expressed the Honorable Michael Misick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands. "It is our hope that this conference will result in policy initiatives and cooperation in environmental conservation and development in the Caribbean that will significantly impact the quality of life for our citizens."

The Environmental Conference will serve as a culmination of the Turks and Caicos Government's efforts to commemorate the Year of the Environment, declared at the beginning of 2007 with two key objectives: to raise the level of environmental consciousness throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands and to develop public and private partnership arrangements in managing the environment.

Accomplishments include investment of over $5 million annually in the upkeep of the reef and the environment. In addition, activities including beach clean-ups, tree-planting exercises, endorsement of environmentally friendly products and equipment and environmental workshops have been held throughout the year.