Salutations

•    Hon. Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
•    Ambassador and Special Envoy for Climate Change, Environment, Oceans and the Blue Economy, Professor Dale Webber
•    Professor Michael Taylor, representing the University of the West Indies Climate Studies Group, Mona, 
•    Well-wishers and friends from government, agencies, academia, private sector, non-government agencies, 
•    Members of the media

Good morning,

UNDP is delighted to support this two-day COP 30 consultation in solidarity with Jamaica’s Climate Ambitions and in support of consolidating negotiating positions for the upcoming Climate Conference in November. As the world prepares for the upcoming COP30 in Belem, Brazil, we must boldly confront the existential crisis of Climate Change and Global Warming with unprecedented partnerships, unprecedented innovation and a scale up of cli-mate action.

At Baku in 2024, the world not only recognized climate financing as critical to creating sustainable development pathways for people and planet but came to terms with the critical role of the private sector in driving sustainable finance through innovative financing and investment models. It is important to recognize that achieving a greener, low-carbon, and more sustainable Jamaica requires the collective effort of all stakeholders — government, civil society, and the private sector. 

Today and tomorrow’s consultation provides stakeholders with an opportunity to strengthen Jamaica’s representation and negotiating positions by contributing their expertise and experiences on the frontlines of climate change. 

Your unique experiences in confronting environmental vulnerabilities and climate related crises and disasters, while advancing sustainable development, offer a nuanced lens through which we can contribute to and define strategies and policies. Stakeholders possess invaluable in-sights which can fuel regional and global advocacy efforts to leverage well needed technical & financial support to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
As a Small Island Developing State, Jamaica makes negligible contributions to the global crisis yet continues to provide powerful leadership in the global efforts to combat climate change and global warming.      

Jamaica boasts concrete achievements in climate change adaptation and mitigation,  consistently meeting its international commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCCC); gaining international recognition over the years for being the first Small Island Developing State to complete its Biennial Update Report; completing the National Database for compiling Jamaica's Greenhouse Gas emissions, building national and local capacity for climate change adaptation and scaling up actions to protect the ozone layer from ozone depleting substances. UNDP has been pleased to support many of these international obligations and reporting commitments through the years, which has strengthened Jamaica’s contributions to global targets. 
Stakeholders, as you collaborate over the next two days, I encourage you to ensure national and community policies and plans are flexible and sensitive to those most vulnerable to Cli-mate Change, including coastal and farming communities, the poor and persons living with disabilities.  

The social resilience and inclusion of vulnerable populations and climate change resilience forms part of our development man-date and is articulated in our 2022 to 2026 Country Programme. Through our Climate Promise project, for example, we are sup-porting countries in taking bold action to reduce emissions, in-crease climate resilience and advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable financing continues to be a key priority and to this end UNDP has supported capacity building and market education for Jamaica Stock Ex-change’s Green Bonds which are poised to improve sources of green financing for local sustainable projects. 

And, through the years we have been privileged to support the Climate change Di-vision’s COP consultations and public awareness initiatives which have improved public and stakeholder engagement and advocacy. Our continued support of these efforts, through the COP 30 Consultations is a signal of our continued commitment to supporting Jamaica’s journey to a low carbon, green society. I commend the Climate Change Division within the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation for sustaining this series which has helped strengthen partnerships for climate action.

In alignment with our global mission and the priorities of or cur-rent Country Programme, I wish to affirm UNDP’s enduring support and partnership in catalyzing technical and financial re-sources in support of your climate goals. We hope that the discussions over the two days will lead to tangible and sustained action and set the stage for effective deliberations at COP30.  

Best wishes and Thank You.