United Nations in Jamaica

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. Kindly note that the data visualizations show an aggregate of the Caribbean. To view the disaggregated data per country, please click on the name of the country or territory you wish to explore.

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10 December 2022

United Nations Jamaica & Bahamas Explains the Universal Declaration on Human Rights

This Human Rights Day, the United Nations in Jamaica reminds us of the Articles of the landmark Universal Declaration on Human Rights #UDHR75 For Jamaica and the world – its message of dignity, freedom, and justice for all remains even more relevant today.

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08 November 2022

Multilaterial System Remains Critical in Tackling Global Challenges

These were the words of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, at the flag raising ceremony commemorating Jamaica's 60th anniversary of membership in the United Nations. “We remain fully convinced that the alternative to a functioning multilateral system is a more dangerous and divided world that will threaten to marginalise and erode the security and development of small States in particular. We must all, therefore, continue to emphasise the tremendous benefit to our nations and our people of a robust and well-functioning multilateral system,” she said. She noted: “Small States like Jamaica are, of necessity, the strongest advocates for multilateralism and… multilateral cooperation will be key to getting us back on the road to sustainable economic growth and enhancing resilience to cope with global challenges. We must, therefore, reaffirm our commitment to a world underpinned by a strong rules-based multilateral system.” The Minister was addressing the UN Day Anniversary Flag-Raising Ceremony at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on October 24. Senator Johnson Smith said that Jamaica will continue to play a positive role in the activities of the organs and bodies of the UN. “We expect that their programmes and projects will complement those introduced at the national and regional levels and believe that our collective efforts will assist in achieving our own national development goals,” she said. She noted that Vision 2030, which aligns with the overarching framework of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) continues to be Jamaica’s guide in this regard. “The United Nations is the product of hope. As we mark UN Day, let us renew our hope and conviction in what humanity can achieve when we work as one in global solidarity,” Senator Johnson Smith added. UN Resident Coordinator, Dr. Garry Conille said that now, more than ever, the institution must remain the space for constructive dialogue and a beacon for sustainable peace, prosperity and the future of the planet. “Our modern world faces some of the greatest challenges in its history, from the climate crisis to COVID-19, from the fallout from the war in Ukraine to growing threats to democracy,” he pointed out. Mr. Conille said that since Jamaica joined the UN in 1962, the country has played an outstanding role in the organisation’s system, helping to call international attention to matters such as human rights, decolonisation, economic cooperation, women's issues, among others. He said that as Jamaica continues to lead an ambitious global agenda, the UN partnership in country, to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, is at its highest level. “In the past two years alone, joint programmes have increased... with investments of the current country implementation plan already exceeding our expectations,” he said. UN Day is commemorated annually on October 24, recognising the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. This year is the 77th anniversary of the UN, and the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s membership to the UN. Originally published by the Jamaica Information Service October 25, 2022

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Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (third left), along with (from left) Director General, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry; Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority, Michael Lodge; United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Dr. Garry Conille; Member of Parliament, St. Catherine East Central, Natalie Neita Garvey; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Leslie Campbell

Press Release

05 September 2022

United Nations & Bahamas Development Bank Partner in staging first Multilateral Partnership Forum focused on the Sustainable Development Goals

Today’s Forum begins at 9 a.m. and is themed, “Transformational Partnerships for a Sustainable Future.” Prime Minister, the Honorable Phillip Davis will deliver the keynote address. The Bahamas SDG Partnership Forum 2022 serves as a platform to strengthen engagement and relationships across relevant stakeholders and sectors, leading to a more transformational whole-of-society approach to partnerships for advancing SDGs in the Bahamas – particularly in the era of building forward better from COVID-19. The public may join online via the United Nations Bahamas Facebook page. The event features panel discussions, group dialogues and key presentations engaging a number of partners including Eugene Newry, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Nicholas Higgs, Managing Director, Bahamas Development Bank; Nicola Virgil-Rolle, Executive Director, Lyford Cay Foundation; Samantha Rolle, Executive Director, Access Accelerator; Dave Prescott, Creative Director, The Partnering Initiative (TPI); The Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development and Sumayyah Cargill, Manager, Strategic Development and Initiatives, Bahamas Development Bank, among others. Senior officials of the United Nations will also present at the signature event. Roberto Valent, Regional Director, UN Development Coordination Office Latin America and the Caribbean, Sai Navoti, Chief of SIDS Unit Sustainable Development Goals Division, UN DESA as well as Dr. Garry Conille, UN Resident Coordinator in The Bahamas will present. “The United Nations and The Bahamas have this year entered into a Cooperation Agreement that has already begun to yield programmes of impact for the people of The Bahamas,” Dr. Conille said. The Partnership Forum is also the kick-off to a week-long Partnership Accelerator training programme. The 2030 Agenda Partnership Accelerator is a collaborative initiative by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and The Partnering Initiative (TPI), in collaboration with United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP), UN Global Compact, and the UN Development Coordination Office. The initiative aims to significantly help accelerate effective partnerships in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. The training workshops, which include a two-and-a-half-day national training will engage over 40 local leaders with best practice skills and techniques for building effective partnerships, it will enhance understanding of relationships across participants from different sectors and launch new partnerships for supporting the implementation of the SDGs. The Caribbean Partnership Accelerator Training of Trainers workshop, with 15 regional participants, will then close out the week. According to Aneesah Abdullah, United Nations Country Coordinator, the week’s activities are the fruits of years of partner building and networking aimed at maximizing local expertise and leveraging the service offerings of the UN Development System for the benefit of Bahamians. “This national training will create a network of partnering champions ready to contribute to national development in new ways. From consultations with local actors, we have ensured that the agendas reflect our national priorities including issues related to climate change, the economy, education, gender and migration,” Abdullah said. The inaugural SDG Partnership Forum is hoped will encourage and enable the development of structured partnerships to contribute to The Bahamas’ achievement of the SDGs including the establishment of a partnership mechanism to further facilitate meeting the SDGs in The Bahamas. “From this Forum we hope to identify innovative opportunities for multiparter SDG engagement including facilitating greater access to technical and financial resources for realizing Agenda 2030. I am especially grateful to all our partners, particularly the BDB for supporting the coordination of this effort.” Dr. Conille said.
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21 December 2022

Jamaican Economy Panel Rounds Up A Year of Adding Value to Economic Conversation

The Jamaican Economy Panel (JEP) has become a cornerstone upon which socio-economic issues can be sounded, reasoned, and rationalised – with a particular ear for a general population audience. The opinions shared have enriched understanding of the development space that the family of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes occupy or can indeed step into as the United Nations works to support economic transformation and resilience building for Jamaica. Over the last year, the JEP has covered a wide range of themes, from the Looming Obesity Crisis, Food Systems and Climate Change, Climate Risks for Jamaica and the Impact on Women, Climate and Disaster Preparation, Stigma, Discrimination, and Violence against Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups in Jamaica, Ocean Economy, Climate Resilience to lastly, the Creative Economy. This December issue takes stock of the critical points flagged by our Panel and the recommendations raised Jamaica's Looming Obesity Crisis: This survey highlighted that Jamaica must tackle obesity through comprehensive policy in all contexts. Panellists agreed that addressing obesity through public policy is needed. Although tax policy is generally one of the most convenient go-tos for affecting people's behaviours, tax on unhealthy behaviours is likely to be highly regressive. Therefore, panellists felt that using public funds to provide a more balanced (and locally sourced) diet in schools can affect behavioural change without the negative impact of regressive taxation. Food Systems and Climate Change: JEP panellists felt that even though global food systems are a critical part of everyday life, they receive minimal attention. In Jamaica, the agricultural sector is responsible for 16% of employment and provides substantial earnings through exports. Most importantly, the agricultural sector provides the food we all eat daily. Nevertheless, the Jamaican agricultural industry faces some considerable challenges, especially related to its low level of productivity. More significant investment in technology and skills and the pursuit of economies of scale would help increase the sector's level of productivity. This recommendation is critical in light of climate change, which has already started affecting agricultural output in the country, mainly through the deterioration of infrastructure. In the future, the panellists agreed that providing more support to farmers to improve their agricultural management skills further and teach them to consider the changing climate is crucial. Improving access to finance for farmers will support those who want to invest in upgrading technology and infrastructure, thus increasing the sectors' climate resilience. Climate Risks for Jamaica and the Impact on Women: Many respondents felt that women and girls are affected differently by the risks of climate change. This view could be because many Jamaican women find themselves in entrenched positions such as single parents, heads of households, low-income jobs, or household and community responsibilities. To guarantee that women and girls are better included in developing strategies to reduce the impact of climate change, panellists agreed that giving them a seat at the table was the most vital tool. This move would ultimately ensure that Jamaica approaches its disaster responses with an appropriate gender lens. Climate and Disaster Preparation: The panellists for this JEP felt a need to access more financing to invest in climate adaptation, especially concerning coastal defences and water storage. They highlighted that opportunities exist worldwide to attract such investments through private and public funds. Furthermore, the panellists had mixed perceptions about different segments of Jamaican society's preparedness for a potential hurricane. Their views can be attributed to the lucky streak the country has enjoyed with no significant impacts in almost a decade. Nevertheless, Jamaicans must prepare for acute disasters. The panellists saw the Government's initiative to establish a catastrophe bond as a good step toward preparing for the potential financial impact of a hurricane. However, the panellists indicated that a larger bond size and additional instruments to mitigate risk might be desirable. Stigma, Discrimination, and Violence against Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups in Jamaica: The JEP felt that Jamaica had made progress in this area, however, Jamaica must double its efforts to tackle the structural drivers of exclusion. They endorsed protective legislation, stronger political will, effective human rights programming and monitoring, and the improved capacity of public and private sector organisations to promote, respond and treat human rights issues. Jamaica is a party to several treaties and resolutions relating to human rights, which obligate the Government to protect and promote the rights of all persons without distinction. However, continued work is needed to improve the human rights situation for vulnerable and marginalised groups. Panellists highlighted that additional and accelerated efforts are needed in Jamaica to address stigma and discrimination. Such measures will ensure that everyone, regardless of their group, can live peacefully with dignity and rights and participate fully in governance, cultural life and the economy while achieving their fullest potential. Ocean Economy: Jamaica has made many attempts to overcome some of the foremost issues facing its ocean resources. However, panellists agreed that there remains a long way to go to ensure that blue economic transformation strikes the right balance between optimising its commercial value and ensuring that Jamaica's Ocean resources sustain for future generations. The JEP emphasised that everyone has a responsibility and role in achieving this. As Jamaica evolves from the devastating effects of COVID-19, effective recovery must include blue economic transformation. Panellists highlighted that the planning for post-covid recovery provides a significant and unique opportunity to reset and chart a new course to build forward better in this decade of action and champion blue economic transformation. Climate resilience: Panellists agreed that increased cooperation and partnerships between the government and civil society, International Financial Institutions, and the private sector would expedite climate resilience in Jamaica. The JEP emphasised that it is necessary to understand better the trade-offs they face to best achieve blue transformation for Jamaica. Finally, panellists concluded that it was essential to adopt a multistakeholder approach as it would further promote collaboration and unity around policies to counteract the effects of climate change in Jamaica. The Next Issue of the JEP looks at Jamaica’s Creative Economy It is evident from the overview above that the panellists have come together to offer recommendations for some of the most complex issues facing Jamaica. However, we must examine what the future holds for the JEP. What is clear is the immense scope and opportunity to build upon our partnership with the University of the West Indies and increase our visibility and impact amongst civil society and on the government level. To better understand how we can achieve this, we asked the panellists what areas they would like to see addressed in 2023, how the JEP can be more impactful, and how the JEP can get better engagement. Panellists felt that issues surrounding health and wellness were critical as Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton highlighted the economic burden of non-communicable diseases, many of which are a result of lifestyle. Panellists emphasised the need to address the economics of crime as well as effective strategies to reduce it. It was also suggested that we examine the effect of the triple crisis (finance, food and climate) on Jamaica. In addition to this, JEP panellists emphasised the need to address areas of green, blue and circular economic opportunities for local communities as well as examine ways to formalise the informal economy. Lastly, panellists suggested more specific topics such as industrial policy and large-scale emigration. Regarding becoming more visible and gaining traction, the participants felt that increased visibility through sharing the results via social media and collaborating more with media outlets such as The Gleaner and Observer could create quick discussions and debates on specific topics. Another participant suggested sending out a survey to civil society to gain insight into the current issues being debated at the local level. Furthermore, some panellists suggested offering specific policy briefs, guided by the responses, aimed at policy- and decision-makers. As a way of connecting all of these discussions, the UN hosted a partnership forum on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Jamaica's membership in the United Nations and the 60th Independence anniversary. The conference brought together members of the government, private and third sectors, civil society and academia. The high-level panel discussions on some of the issues brought forward by the JEP underscore the essential role of innovative partnership opportunities in reaching sustainable development goals through this type of engagement. In addition to this, Elliot Harris, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development and Chief Economist, made special remarks about the creative economy. Please find the link here for the recording of the United Nations Partnership Forum 2022.

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10 November 2022

Bahamian government officials and CSOs benefit from training on Human Rights Treaty Reporting

As the region continues to face the effects of complex global conflicts and humanitarian crises, honouring these commitments has become even more critical. Recently, UN Women and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights), in partnership with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office hosted a three-day workshop in the Bahamas on ‘Engaging with Treaty bodies through reporting’ focusing on enhancing the capacity of government officials to prepare reports on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and CEDAW. The workshop addressed to members of the Bahamian Government, Parliamentarians and Civil Society, sought to strengthen the understanding of how national reporting on the Conventions can be used to facilitate more effective advocacy, legislative and policy development, and accountability to promote human rights within the Bahamas. Human Rights Officer in the Capacity building programme, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Marie Boyer said: “During the 3-day event, we managed to look at the expectations on the Bahamas to meet their obligations as they relate to women’s rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, children, and the right of racial minorities. A lot was achieved, and we were honoured with the great contribution from Ms. Marion Bethel, expert of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminations against Women.” Ms Boyer further highlighted one of the main outcomes of the training: “At the end of the workshop, participants drew a concrete roadmap to finalize a number of reports that will be subject to review by UN Treaty bodies in Geneva in the months to come.” In delivering closing remarks, Representative for UN Women Multi-Country Office – Caribbean, Tonni Ann Brodber congratulated the participants for their commitments to advancing equality in the Bahamas while emphasizing the important role they played as champions for equitable policies in their national governments and regionally. Ms Brodber said: “The Caribbean region is like no other— whether our diversity in culture, people, creativity and biodiversity, there is so much to celebrate about our people and our region. However, we acknowledge that progress is still needed in many areas, and we recognize that to better secure human rights within the Caribbean, it is important for all Caribbean countries to build their capacity to effectively meet global treaty bodies' requirements, and a critical part of this is Reporting.” The Bahamas Country Coordination Officer in the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, Aneesah Abdullah identified the importance of the training for national development and the role of the UN in amplifying human rights, stating: “One is the RCO's commitment to responding to the particular needs of the government by collaborating with relevant government stakeholders, in this case, the Department of Gender and Family Affairs and the Office of the Attorney-General. Another is the RCO's role in promoting human rights - a key element of our organizational mandate. And finally, facilitating the involvement of more than one agency, it demonstrates the RCO's increased efforts to identify and create opportunities for the delivery of joint support, where appropriate, by the UN system to The Bahamas.” Gender Expert, Department of Gender & Family Affairs in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, Mrs. Elaine Sands, a participant lauded the organisers for the workshop: "I was so excited to be a part of such a timely forum as it helped to strengthen my knowledge on the reporting procedures and focused particularly on my area of work which is advocacy and awareness against Gender-Based Violence and to promote Non-Discrimination and Gender Equality. I received knowledge and understanding of the obligation of the State to respect, protect and fulfil the gaps in the Circle of Rights. Reviewing Gender Norms and Roles, Gender-Based Violence and how it affects the family and society.” The Assistant Director of Legal Affairs, Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affair, Ms Jewel Major shared similar sentiments, stating: “The presentations provided clarity and spurred the participants to want to know more. In gleaning some of the comments about the workshop from the participants, the common expression was that the information was presented with so much clarity, now I understand what we must do, and why we have to do what we are being encouraged to do.” This training occurred several months after the inaugural National Gender-Based Violence (GBV)/Discriminatory Law Review Forum held in February 2022 which targeted gender and human rights experts in The Bahamas to examine the state of international commitments and national legislation which impact gender equality.

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The participants at the end of the 3 Day Human Rights Workshop

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29 April 2022

Jamaican Economy Panel discusses climate change and disaster preparedness in Jamaica

This month, responding to the publication of the contribution of Working Group II to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report that assesses the impacts of climate change, the warnings in the recent IPCC, and the upcoming hurricane season, the panellists look at disaster preparations. The panellists identified several critical hazards in Jamaica primarily impacted by climate change, with cyclones (hurricanes) naturally being at the top. However, they are also particularly concerned about people whose livelihoods depend on the coast and who may suffer from a confluence of impacts. With hurricanes, rising sea levels and threats to biodiversity, such coast-dependent lives are likely to suffer the strongest. The respondents are optimistic about the government's new catastrophe bond launched last year, a first for a SIDS government. It provides Jamaica with up to USD 185 million in protection against losses caused by a named storm over three hurricane seasons. If anything, the JEP panellists would have liked to see an even larger catastrophe bond, mindful that the impact of a hurricane as powerful as Gilbert (1988) would cause estimated losses of up to USD 1.3 billion. While mitigation continues to be the gold standard for climate change, there is no doubt that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Jamaica must also look at a myriad of adaptation efforts to reduce the impact of disasters. The respondents see opportunities for improving coastal defences, such as through the improvement of mangroves. Respondents recognize, however, that any investment in adaptation strategies will require substantial climate financing. While international development partners provide some opportunities for such climate financing, it is also crucial for the country to continue pursuing other avenues, including innovative private financing. While Jamaica has not been directly impacted by any since 2012, the risk of hurricanes continues to be great. However, the prolonged absence of major hurricanes making landfall may have affected some of the preparations people pursue. While the panellists generally believe that much of the population is decently prepared, they are sceptical about the government and the private sector. The full results of this month's discussion are available here.

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29 March 2022

Jamaican Economy Panel discusses the gender dimension of climate change and disaster preparation

This month, the panellists are looking at climate change and disaster preparation through a gender lens, recognizing International Women's Day celebration on 8 March. After all, the UN Women theme for this year's celebration was "Gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow." According to the panellists, the most likely disasters affecting Jamaica are drought, coastal flooding, and extreme heat. Those least likely to happen are tsunamis and wildfires. Apart from these last two, most hazard risks are seen as medium-to-high, though, in line with the general description of Jamaica as a relatively hazard-prone country. Climate change is expected to increase these hazards even further. JEP respondents agree with climate experts that hydrometeorological hazards are especially likely to increase. Drought, urban flooding, and cyclonic activity were the top 3 hazards likely to increase due to climate change. The great majority of respondents agreed that the impact of disasters and climate change is different for women and girls than it is for men and boys. One critical issue that makes women more vulnerable is their increased likelihood of being single parents in female-headed households. Another key factor is the fact that many women generally earn overall lower incomes than their male counterparts. In addition to economic uncertainty, it is also theorized that women are more likely to have household duties and thus be disproportionally affected by a potential absence of potable water and sanitation. Finally, it should not be forgotten that women and girls also face an increased risk of gender-based violence and that crises can make them more vulnerable to such violence. The issues of gender-based violence were also addressed in JEP Discussion 6. Some of the most important approaches to reducing the vulnerabilities of women and girls in the face of climate change and associated disasters is to make sure that women have a seat at the table. The participation of women's groups in disaster preparedness and climate adaptation discussions is considered a crucial tool. Furthermore, it will be imperative that opportunities are created to further inspire women and girls who pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers. This will enable more inclusive technical and political discussions. Girls' educational outcomes in Jamaica already exceed boys', but this is not as obvious in STEM careers. The full results of this month's discussion are available here.

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Jamaican Economy Panel Discussion Ten on Climate risks for Jamaica and the Impact on Women

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Press Release

18 January 2023

Jamaica’s Creative Economy Poised for Another Take-Off

In this discussion, the JEP was asked about Jamaica’s Creative Economy and invited to share their perspectives on Jamaica’s options to further develop and diversify the island’s creative sector. Dr. Nadine McLoud, Head, Department of Economics, University of the West Indies Mona stated that “Jamaica has not reaped the full scale of the pecuniary and nonpecuniary returns from its massive and globally unique stock of creative capital that spans its entire socioeconomic distribution. Jamaica's production function in the creative arena requires critical facilitating inputs, such as physical infrastructure and financial capital, to help churn out sizeable and sustainable returns that will contribute to its economic development while reducing income inequality.” Dr. Marcus Goffe Deputy Director/Legal Counsel of the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) describes Jamaica as a “cultural superstate - a powerhouse over-bubbling with talent and creativity” with a world platform in music, sport, dance, and other spheres. However, Jamaica hasn’t realised the full potential of its creative ability. This may be partly due to not having accessible financing for the creative sector nor the opportunity to monetise the industry thoroughly. Economist, Dr. Karsten Müller, Assistant Professor of Finance, highlights that brain drain has an extremely negative affect on the economy, notwithstanding the creative sector. Müller further emphasized that to retain some of the brightest Jamaicans as well as entice highly skilled immigrants, it is necessary to invest in “more cultural offerings” which he posits would “improve the liveability of Kingston.” According to UN Senior Economist Stuart Davies, moving forward, Jamaica should consider more flexible financing structures that advance the diversification and economic transformation of its creative sector. Additionally, creatives would benefit from increased access to flexible financing mechanisms in order to fully take advantage of opportunities that arise as they develop and take creative products and services to market. Elliott Harris, Former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, highlighted that traditional financing institutions often lack the flexibility that is needed for the creative economy to thrive. He explained that there is a “great need to expand access to sufficient and appropriate financing that will enable the scaling up of the creative economy to the point where it can actually provide a live yield.” The sustainability and diversification of the Jamaican economy is key to ensuring that there are adequate opportunities for future generations, thereby limiting the migration of highly skilled creatives from Jamaica. Additionally, Jamaica is particularly well-known for its musical talent. Panellists emphasised the need for infrastructure to support this existing and burgeoning talent. In this regard, the JEP also agreed that emerging artists needed improved access to venues, practice space and business skills to further monetise this talent and further boost the music industry. Responding to the survey results, Mr. Vincent Sweeney, United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim, agreed that, “we must find ways to create a thriving environment for artists to truly reflect the rich creative ability that exists in Jamaica. There is space for public-private partnerships to help deliver on a number of these solutions.” He continued “improving access to global markets can raise competitiveness, ultimately creating a new economic dynamism.” The Jamaican Economy Panel is part of a partnership between the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO) and the Department of Economics at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona. The JEP brings together a select group of economic and public sector experts to address monthly socio-economic questions. These questions help to highlight relevant economic issues and the collective expertise of the panellists. For more information on the Jamaican Economy Panel and for the results of this JEP discussion visit here.

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Press Release

08 November 2022

Jamaican Economy Panel Climate Resilience in Jamaica Calls for Mitigation and Adaptation

In this discussion, the JEP was asked questions on Climate Resilience in Jamaica and asked to share their perspectives on what can be done to mitigate and adapt to the ever-changing climate situation. Dr. Nadine McLoud, Head Department of Economics, University of the West Indies Mona highlights the body of evidence that confirms that Jamaica will not fare well against climate change if it does not execute robust immediacy policies to mitigate its crippling effects. Jamaica’s SDG performance in relation to climate resilience is noteworthy. Jamaica ranks 83 out of 163 for its overall performance. Its rank is considerably higher than the regional average, which is 69.5. Jamaica is among the "top 20 countries most vulnerable to natural disasters." The negative impact of climate change puts the island in an even more perilous position with the increased frequency of storms and droughts. In the past few years, Jamaica has made serious progress in the context of climate resilience, however, it can go further. “The largely exogenous nature of acute and chronic climate-change events that we will encounter, begs the need for expansion and immediate action at all levels of the economy of our climate resilience toolkit,” Dr. McLoud said. According to UN Senior Economist Stuart Davies, Jamaica maintains well-placed opportunities for climate financing. “Jamaica is well placed to build on the momentum of its CAT bond to enhance innovative financing that increases the funds available for building climate resilience while enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of climate financing,” Dr. Davies said. “Bankrolling resilience is costly and thus, given our limited resources, requires orthodox and unorthodox financing mechanisms, among other things, for Jamaica to achieve an acceptable level of climate change resilience,” Dr. McLoud added. Accelerating progress in climate resilience requires and demands that we rethink public-private partnerships and cooperation. “Strengthened cooperation and partnerships among the government, civil society, International Financial Institutions, and the private sector would expedite climate resilience in Jamaica. Also, adopting a multistakeholder approach would further promote collaboration and unity around policies to counteract the effects of climate change on the island,” commented Dr. Garry Conille, United Nations Resident Coordinator said. For more information on the Jamaican Economy Panel and for the results of this JEP discussion visit here.

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Press Release

03 August 2022

Jamaica has opportunity to champion blue economic transformation

Today, the Jamaican Economy Panel (JEP) publishes its thirteenth round of discussions. In this discussion, the JEP was asked questions on the Ocean economy in Jamaica and asked to share their perspectives on the central issues as well as what should be done to combat Ocean pollution. Almost three-quarters of the earth's surface is covered by Oceans, yet the world is far from capturing the benefits it can offer for sustainable development. Under constant challenge from major threats like climate change, human mistreatment, and inappropriate waste management, all of which have been detrimental to the health of the oceans and to those who depend on its resources. When the panellists were asked what they thought were the most significant issues facing our Ocean today, in the context of Jamaica, they felt that overfishing, marine litter/plastic and the dying coral reefs featured most prominently. Despite action to control plastic use, such as banning plastic carrier bags and straws, further actions are required if we are to sustainably manage this valuable resource. To tackle these issues and reverse some of the damage done to the Ocean, the panellists felt that a suite of actions was needed which included developing more opportunities for recycling, strengthening regulations on waste management and raising awareness of the adverse consequences of the current business-as-usual action is having on our Ocean resources. The Recycling Partners of Jamaica have provided opportunities for Jamaicans to recycle plastic bottles by forming a collaboration with the National Environment Planning Agency (NEPA) and Magna Rewards Jamaica Ltd. Dr Christine Clarke, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics at UWI Mona, highlighted the need for waste management to go further with a "5 to 10-year campaign promoting separation at source, containerisation and at least weekly collection of garbage." Our panellists felt that effective awareness raising is critical to tackling Ocean pollution. Dr Patrice Whitley, Lecturer in the Department of Economics at UWI Mona, highlighted that "In order for change to occur, the general population needs to be aware of and concerned about the problem." Tailored education on Ocean sustainability provides a powerful channel through which we can change behaviours and attitudes toward the environment, specifically those related to our Oceans. Mobilising the youth of today and encouraging children to be involved in sustainable environmental practices and blue activities will ensure we create a more sustainable future. When the panellists were asked about who should be targeted to help combat ocean pollution, Chris Corbin, Acting Coordinator, UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat, explained, "We need to consider multiple sectors who contribute to pollution, who are impacted by pollution, who regulate pollution and who can advocate for change and effect change." Setting behaviours, attitudes, regulations and policies to strike the right balance between conserving our ocean resources for future generations and capturing its economic potential to enhance incomes and livelihoods are essential to Jamaica’s successful sustainable development. Dr Nadine McCloud highlighted the prospects that the Ocean economy offers for job creation and shares. "The scope for the ocean economy to create employment and innovation booms and consequently foster economic growth for Jamaica is massive. However, monetizing this critical natural resource must be done sustainably,” Dr Nadine McCloud said. The JEP acknowledged the multi-sectorial attempts to address many of the foremost issues facing the Ocean. Dr Garry Conille, United Nations Resident Coordinator, highlighted however that an ambitious balance must be struck. “We have some way to go if we are to achieve blue economic transformation for Jamaica, especially one that strikes the right balance between optimising its commercial value and preserving this most valuable resource for future generations. This is the joint responsibility of everyone, and we must all play our part,” Dr Conille said, As it builds forward better from the COVID-19 pandemic, Jamaica is presented with an important opportunity to chart a new course in this decade of action and champion blue economic transformation that is globally replicable. For more information on the Jamaican Economy Panel and for the results of this JEP discussion visit here.

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Press Release

02 June 2022

Eliminating stigma, discrimination, and violence against vulnerable communities is vital to ending inequalities and achieving Agenda 2030

For most of the members of the Jamaican Economy Panel (JEP) stigma, discrimination, and violence perpetrated against vulnerable and marginalised communities are important concerns in Jamaica and a possible hindrance to fully achieving the SDGs. The JEP expressed that those most affected by stigma and discrimination and various forms of violence in Jamaica are women and girls, people from inner-city communities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. These were followed by people with disabilities, people living with HIV and people who are homeless. On the heels of the May 17th International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2022, the JEP also considered the impact of discrimination and violence on LGBTQ people as part of this month’s discussions. The majority of panellists expressed that a person’s livelihood and well-being were more likely to be affected by forms of stigma and discrimination that included physical abuse, closely followed by the denial of employment opportunities, as well as displacement and homelessness. The majority of panellists believe that all societal sectors could do more to reduce discrimination and violence against marginalised groups, including LGBTQ people. When asked what could be done to protect marginalised groups from discrimination and violence, a majority of panellists expressed favour for a multisectoral response which would include the strengthening of anti-discriminatory laws and policies, increased community-based interventions and safer housing and shelter for people experiencing displacement and homelessness. A significant number of panellists also felt that school curricula should integrate human rights principles and non-discrimination. The JEP was asked about the role of the private sector regarding marginalised and discriminated groups, there was a high preference towards the recommendation for the private sector to develop diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the workplace to help reduce stigma, discrimination, and violence. The JEP also favoured private sector input in partnering and supporting organisations representing marginalised groups and implementing public education campaigns. In responding to this JEP discussion, Dr. Garry Conille, United Nations Resident Coordinator expressed that stigma, discrimination, and violence pose a real risk to people’s health and hinders their broader development outcomes. “Stigma, discrimination and violence in all its forms are real human rights concerns that stymie an individual’s ability to contribute to nation-building. The Human Development Report (2000) articulates that human rights and human development share a ‘common vision and a common purpose—to secure the freedom, well-being and dignity of all people everywhere,’” Dr. Conille, said. Richard Amenya, Director, UNAIDS Multicountry Office based in Jamaica, shared that stigma, discrimination, and violence adversely impact a sound public health response. “The HIV and AIDS response documents stark examples of the devastating impact of stigma, discrimination, and violence because of one’s health status. Studies show that people living with HIV, who perceive elevated levels of HIV-related stigma, are 2.4 times more likely to delay seeking care until they are severely ill. Such fears often contribute to discouraging uptake of prevention and testing services for HIV,” Amenya said. “In Jamaica, the Stigma Index (2020) found that 38% of people living with HIV report having delayed testing, and 30% delayed initiating treatment because they feared how others would treat them,” Amenya added. As in most countries worldwide, additional and accelerated efforts are needed in Jamaica to address stigma and discrimination in order to ensure that everyone can live peacefully with dignity and rights and participate fully in governance, cultural life and the economy while achieving their fullest potential. Acknowledging the multidimensional urgency of the response, Dr. Nadine McCloud, Head Department of Economics, University of the West Indies said, “Eradicating stigma, discrimination and violence against vulnerable and marginalised groups in Jamaica is no easy commission. However, we must do so. The sentiments echoed by the panellists and other stakeholders strongly signal that there is an urgent need for hard and soft policies and laws that discourage discriminatory and abusive behaviour and hold perpetrators accountable." For more information on the Jamaican Economy Panel and for the results of this JEP discussion visit here.

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Press Release

28 April 2022

United Nations Resident Coordinator pays courtesy call on Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies Mona Campus on the occasion of the eleventh discussion of the Jamaican Economy Panel

On this occassion, Dr. Garry Conille, United Nations Resident Coordinator, met with Professor Dale Webber, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus. The two were joined by Professor Ian Boxill, Deputy Principal of UWI Mona, Jonathan Archie, Deputy Campus Registrar, Dr. Nadine McCloud, Head Department of Economics as well as Dr. Olaf J. De Groot, Ciara Patterson & Jomain McKenzie of the UNRCO. Dr. Conille conveyed the well wishes of the UN System for the strong partnership established between the United Nations in Jamaica and the Department of Economics UWI, Mona. “Through the Jamaican Economy Panel (JEP), UWI’s technical expertise has contributed to and expanded economic analysis within the UN system and has increased the accessibility of economic discourse within the wider population,” Dr. Conille said. “The JEP is well aligned with UWI’s strategy and is helping us answer and respond to society’s questions,” Professor Webber said. The parties exchange ideas into the future of the JEP and explored opportunities for greater strategic engagement between the United Nations and the regional university. This month's topic directly links with the latest report by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warned in early April that the Paris commitment of a maximum temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius is becoming more challenging to achieve. The report also highlights that the climate change impact on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), such as Jamaica, is particularly significant, putting the livelihoods of many people at stake. When ranking different climate-induced hazards, the panellists see the most significant risk in cyclones (hurricanes), drought, the livelihoods of the coast-dependent population, and the long-run risk of rising sea levels. Other risks identified by the latest IPCC report, such as coral bleaching and biodiversity loss, are considered less urgent in the case of Jamaica. While mitigation continues to be the gold standard for handling climate change, the latest figures show that it is unlikely that climate change can be addressed entirely in time. For this reason, adaptation should be carefully considered and prioritized as well. When asking the JEP panellists about different adaptation strategies, the need for increased financial resources is particularly apparent. One of the key strategies for Jamaica will be to improve coastal defences, especially with nature-based solutions, such as mangroves, but these would be very costly. Dr. Nadine McCloud, Head of the Economics Department at UWI Mona and co-founder of the JEP, comments that "major investment is required to prepare the country for climate change. However, while financing opportunities through our international development partners should be pursued, we must explore other ways in which financial flows can be unlocked. The private sector, for example, can extract significant benefits from sustainable and climate-sensitive investment opportunities – an untapped and lucrative pool in Jamaica. The tourism sector, a major recipient of foreign direct investment, stands to lose the most from climate change. So engaging such investors in ensuring that coastlines are protected in the long run would be a logical path to pursue and a win-win for all stakeholders." For almost a decade (since Sandy in 2012), Jamaica has avoided significant hurricane impacts. This luck could lead to a reduced awareness of the hazards associated with hurricanes and lower vigilance and hurricane preparedness. The respondents generally believe that people are decently prepared but have a somewhat dimmer view of private sector actors. The JEP panellists applaud the Government's issuance of what is known as a catastrophe bond, which insures the country for up to USD 185 million of hurricane damages. While many panellists believe it is a wise decision to issue such a bond, a substantial number would have liked to see a larger size of such a bond. It was pointed out, for example, that the impact of a hurricane such as Gilbert (1988) would have an estimated impact of up to USD 1.3 billion. While some may view such an enormous catastrophe as very unlikely, its impact would be huge. Several other respondents also highlighted the need for a broader range of instruments, such as weather derivatives and a more holistic, multisectoral and structural approach to making the country less prone to the impacts of hazards. One respondent pointed out that rigid enforcement of building codes would help lessen the impacts of a cyclone, but that the large construction boom over the past few years may have lessened the attention to such enforcement. Responding to the survey results, Dr. Conille shared that "the continuing exhaust of greenhouse gases exacerbates existing hazards. While it is crucial to reduce emissions as soon as possible, it is also important to look at ways to alleviate the impacts of disasters that may be exacerbated by continued climate change. SIDS have a great need for additional funds to be able to invest in both mitigation and adaptation. The work of The Hon. Prime Minister Holness with the Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada as co-chairs of Group of Friends of SDG Financing is crucial in the pursuit of such innovative financing accessible to all states." The Jamaican Economy Panel is a partnership between the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO) and the Department of Economics at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona. The JEP brings together a select group of economic and public sector experts to address monthly socio-economic questions. These questions help to highlight relevant economic issues and the collective expertise of the panellists. The full results of this month's discussion are available here.

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