Jamaica
Mr. Chairman,
Jamaica welcomes the report of the Secretary General on the Overview of progress in the
implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda
21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, as well as on the Mauritius Strategy,
contained in document E/CN_ 17/2006/2 .
As we reflect on the achievements of the past number of years, most experts agree that
the progress towards the goals as enumerated under Agenda 21, the BPOA and other
internationally agreed development targets is far from satisfactory especially for some
developing countries .
The Secretary-General's Report has noted that only 36% of the 191 states members of the
UN have met the JPOI goal of formulating and elaborating and further implementing
national sustainable development strategies . Indeed, implementation reviews have shown
that in many areas, natural resources are being more depleted and social conditions are
worsening . It is discouraging to note that many developing countries are not on track to
achieving poverty reduction goals and that half of the developing world lives without
improved sanitation . It is for this reason that the issue of resources - and the adequate
provision thereof - remains critical to providing developing countries with a platform to
achieve sustainable development . I will return to this issue in subsequent paragraphs .
One reason for the slow progress in implementation is that in our general approach we
have often tended to treat environment and development in an isolated manner, not taking
critical note of the crosscutting issues . At this stage, we should be able to realize the
critical interdependent and mutually reinforcing linkages between the social, economic,
environmental and governance pillars of sustainable development and achieve progress in
implementing, at national levels, these strategically focused international blueprints for
improvement in the lives of our peoples .
Mr. Chah-man,
Various goals and targets have resulted from recent international conferences, including
the MDGs and the JPOI axed the Latin American and Caribbean Initiative . As a small
island developing State, the issues for action identified in the MSI in particular climate
change, coastal resources, energy, natural resources and biodiversity, natural and manmade
disasters, and land degradation remain priorities for implementation especially as it
regards the issue of resilience .
In this regard, Jamaica aligns itself with the statement by AOSIS . In order to achieve
sustainable development, and protect our common future we must practice sustainable
production and consumption patterns, as clearly articulated in Agenda 21 and the JPOI .
Mr. Chairman,
Small Island Developing States like Jamaica continue to face formidable challenges in
effectively advancing the goals of sustainable development . While we have made some
progress, we are constrained by the lack of capacity to address all the complex
development issues . What we need most is the support of the international community in
building capacity - whether it is financial, human or institutional - in order to ensure the
implementation of the agreed goals and objectives of the outcomes which we are the
subject of our deliberations .
Jamaica notes with interest section D of the Secretary-General's Report dealing with
natural disaster risk reduction and mitigation. It is particularly important for SIDS, many
of whom are located among the most vulnerable regions in the world and for whom
integrating hazard mitigation into policies, programmes and plans at the national and
community levels is a priority . We believe greter support can be given to such an
approach through the provision of special reinsurance arrangements for SIDS' .
Jamaica's economy, social and physical assets have on numerous occasions been
negatively impacted by natural and environmental disasters . The increased frequency and
intensity of tropical storms (especially the very active 2005 hurricane season) makes this
an issue of particular concern given the tremendous resources which have to be devoted
to responding to such disasters, resulting in the derailment of planned Government
activities on social acid economic prugranrrues I1om which crucial funding sometimes has
to be diverted . Despite such challenges, the integration of disaster risk reduction and
hazard mitigation into the development approval process is something to which we
remain fully committed .
Mr. Chairman,
One of the key constraints to implementation is the lack of access to adequate financial
resources, capacity, technology and political support . The JPOI emphasizes that "the
internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium
Declaration and Agenda 21, as well as in the Plan of Action, will require significant
increases in the flow of financial resources, in particular to developing countries, to
support the implementation of national policies and programs developed by them ." The
implementation course that we have chosen calls for an urgent exploration of effective,
durable reliable and measurable means of implementation for developing countries .
Undoubtedly, our efforts will need to be supplemented by effective technical and
financial support from the international community . What is urgently required, therefore,
is focused action to support programmes and projects aimed at advancing this objective .
Mr. Chairman,
In concluding, Jamaica remains committed to working with the international community
in advancing the sustainable agenda . We welcome opportunities to forge such
relationships and look forward to working with the international community in this
regard.
Thank You.
Jamaica welcomes the report of the Secretary General on the Overview of progress in the
implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda
21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, as well as on the Mauritius Strategy,
contained in document E/CN_ 17/2006/2 .
As we reflect on the achievements of the past number of years, most experts agree that
the progress towards the goals as enumerated under Agenda 21, the BPOA and other
internationally agreed development targets is far from satisfactory especially for some
developing countries .
The Secretary-General's Report has noted that only 36% of the 191 states members of the
UN have met the JPOI goal of formulating and elaborating and further implementing
national sustainable development strategies . Indeed, implementation reviews have shown
that in many areas, natural resources are being more depleted and social conditions are
worsening . It is discouraging to note that many developing countries are not on track to
achieving poverty reduction goals and that half of the developing world lives without
improved sanitation . It is for this reason that the issue of resources - and the adequate
provision thereof - remains critical to providing developing countries with a platform to
achieve sustainable development . I will return to this issue in subsequent paragraphs .
One reason for the slow progress in implementation is that in our general approach we
have often tended to treat environment and development in an isolated manner, not taking
critical note of the crosscutting issues . At this stage, we should be able to realize the
critical interdependent and mutually reinforcing linkages between the social, economic,
environmental and governance pillars of sustainable development and achieve progress in
implementing, at national levels, these strategically focused international blueprints for
improvement in the lives of our peoples .
Mr. Chah-man,
Various goals and targets have resulted from recent international conferences, including
the MDGs and the JPOI axed the Latin American and Caribbean Initiative . As a small
island developing State, the issues for action identified in the MSI in particular climate
change, coastal resources, energy, natural resources and biodiversity, natural and manmade
disasters, and land degradation remain priorities for implementation especially as it
regards the issue of resilience .
In this regard, Jamaica aligns itself with the statement by AOSIS . In order to achieve
sustainable development, and protect our common future we must practice sustainable
production and consumption patterns, as clearly articulated in Agenda 21 and the JPOI .
Mr. Chairman,
Small Island Developing States like Jamaica continue to face formidable challenges in
effectively advancing the goals of sustainable development . While we have made some
progress, we are constrained by the lack of capacity to address all the complex
development issues . What we need most is the support of the international community in
building capacity - whether it is financial, human or institutional - in order to ensure the
implementation of the agreed goals and objectives of the outcomes which we are the
subject of our deliberations .
Jamaica notes with interest section D of the Secretary-General's Report dealing with
natural disaster risk reduction and mitigation. It is particularly important for SIDS, many
of whom are located among the most vulnerable regions in the world and for whom
integrating hazard mitigation into policies, programmes and plans at the national and
community levels is a priority . We believe greter support can be given to such an
approach through the provision of special reinsurance arrangements for SIDS' .
Jamaica's economy, social and physical assets have on numerous occasions been
negatively impacted by natural and environmental disasters . The increased frequency and
intensity of tropical storms (especially the very active 2005 hurricane season) makes this
an issue of particular concern given the tremendous resources which have to be devoted
to responding to such disasters, resulting in the derailment of planned Government
activities on social acid economic prugranrrues I1om which crucial funding sometimes has
to be diverted . Despite such challenges, the integration of disaster risk reduction and
hazard mitigation into the development approval process is something to which we
remain fully committed .
Mr. Chairman,
One of the key constraints to implementation is the lack of access to adequate financial
resources, capacity, technology and political support . The JPOI emphasizes that "the
internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium
Declaration and Agenda 21, as well as in the Plan of Action, will require significant
increases in the flow of financial resources, in particular to developing countries, to
support the implementation of national policies and programs developed by them ." The
implementation course that we have chosen calls for an urgent exploration of effective,
durable reliable and measurable means of implementation for developing countries .
Undoubtedly, our efforts will need to be supplemented by effective technical and
financial support from the international community . What is urgently required, therefore,
is focused action to support programmes and projects aimed at advancing this objective .
Mr. Chairman,
In concluding, Jamaica remains committed to working with the international community
in advancing the sustainable agenda . We welcome opportunities to forge such
relationships and look forward to working with the international community in this
regard.
Thank You.
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