KINGSTON - Last week, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway wrapped up a three-day visit to Jamaica, highlighting innovative efforts to address climate change, protect marine ecosystems, and reduce poverty. The visit, conducted in partnership with UNDP, underscored the urgency of collective action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

As a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador since 2003, the Crown Prince has been a steadfast advocate for global development, with a particular focus on eradicating poverty (SDG 1) and conserving oceans (SDG 14). The visit to Jamaica reinforced the Crown Prince’s commitment to empowering vulnerable communities through sustainable solutions that foster resilience and inspire global action. 

The UNDP Resident Representative for the UNDP Multi Country Office in Jamaica, Kishan Khoday, praised the visit of UNDP’s Goodwill Ambassador for highlighting the significant challenges faced by Small Island Developing States like Jamaica, including record temperatures, severe climate-induced disasters, disruption to ocean ecosystems and impact on lives and livelihoods. "Understanding the nexus of these trends, and ways to advance integrated solutions locally, is critical to building a more resilient future, and was at the heart of the Crown Prince's visit," Mr. Khoday said. 

During the visit, the Crown Prince gained a firsthand understanding of key UNDP initiatives driving tangible change on the ground. At Rocky Point Fishing Village, he witnessed the results of the Blue Resilience Programme, funded by Norway. The program empowers fishers with essential tools and skills to combat illegal fishing and protect marine biodiversity.  

In Thompson Town, the Crown Prince visited a community water system designed to ensure reliable access to clean water for climate-impacted communities, particularly during periods of drought. The project underscores the importance of sustainable water management in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. 

Reflecting on UNDP’s unique role in the region, the Crown Prince emphasised: “The UNDP Multi-Country Office occupies an important niche in the local development landscape, focusing on multidimensional approaches to poverty and crisis resilience. Anchored in one of our core mottos – Leaving No One Behind – UNDP ensures that the ‘invisible’ silent majority, including persons with disabilities, youth, women, and rural communities, are included.” 

The Crown Prince visited Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, where local communities, supported by UNDP, are successfully restoring coral reefs and increasing fish populations. These efforts demonstrate how partnerships among local fishers, UNDP, and the government can yield significant environmental and economic benefits. Praising the initiative, the Crown Prince highlighted, “The biomass in the ocean here has increased by more than 500% over the last decade, thanks to the partnership between local fishers, UNDP, and the government to protect this sanctuary.” 

The Crown Prince also participated in the National Youth Leaders’ Symposium on Poverty and Climate Change, where discussions centred on empowering young leaders to drive transformative change. The Crown Prince highlighted the critical role of youth in shaping sustainable solutions for a more inclusive and resilient future. 

UNDP’s work across Jamaica, supported by Norway and other international partners, continues to empower communities to overcome challenges and build resilience and a sustainable future. The initiatives showcased during the Crown Prince’s visit serve as powerful examples of global partnerships driving progress across the SDGs.