Ms. Rosemary Lall, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Programme Officer for Energy, Environment and Disaster Management, and Ms. Anna Cadiz, National Coordinator of the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) presented on biodiversity as part of the Diatribe Seminars at Fashion Week Trinidad and Tobago (FWTT) on Tuesday 1^st June, 2010 at the Conference Centre Hyatt Regency. 

The presentations focused on Biodiversity and Green Manufacturing in light of this year being the International Year of Biodiversity. 

The fashion industry, like all industries, has a critical role to play in preserving biodiversity in Trinidad and Tobago and understanding that we can no longer operate in a Business As Usual scenario. 

Ms. Rosemary Lall explained the meaning of biodiversity in the global and national context and then focused on the role of UNDP in raising awareness on biodiversity issues in a cross section of forums. 

Ms. Anna Cadiz spoke about efforts being taken at the community level in Trinidad and Tobago to address the issue of biodiversity loss, especially as it concerns endemic species such as the Pawi (pipile pipile). A discussion on how the fashion industry could look towards greening of their manufacturing processes ensued and focus was placed on sustainable or eco-fashion. 

The presentation closed with many questions and a lively discussion between the presenters and the audience. Audience members spoke about their own experiences and suggested different ways that Trinidad and Tobago could tackle some of our environmental problems, including working closely with schools to initiate recycling schemes and to work closely to support government level policies and programmes.