Jamaica
PERMANENT MISSION OF JAMAICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
STATEMENT
by
HONOURABLE DEAN PEART
MINISTER OF LAND AND ENVIRONMENT
at the
HITGWHE-LLEFVTEHL S SEESGSMIOENN OT FO TFH TEHE
COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
30N AEPWR IYLO 2R0K04
Please Check Against Delivery
Mr. Chairman,
Access to clean water and adequate sanitation are fundamental for the
health and development of our citizens.
Jamaica's National Water Policy, in keeping with the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation and Millennium Development Goal 7, aims to achieve
access to potable water by the year 2010 and the establishment of sewerage
systems in all major towns by 2020.
The achievement of the goals set will not be easy given the level of
resources required.
Some of the concerns are:
the inability of poorer groups in society to pay for central services
provided;
the deterioration of watersheds and the associated impacts on water
availability; and
the conversion of upper watershed forest area to agriculture and
housing.
In an effort to address these concerns our approaches include:
the development of participatory approaches including working with
communities and NGOs at the local level;
the use of sweat equity and incremental development of facilities as
important mechanisms for a greater degree of assistance to lowincome
groups; and
I
the provision of designs, professional supervision and guidance,
during construction of facilities to reduce costs and develop effective
systems.
Public education and awareness must be part of all programmes. In some
cases, increasing awareness of the need for conservation of water and
energy has led to up to 17% in savings.
Pricing policies must be realistic enough to stimulate conservation,
discourage waste and ensure cost recovery.
Creative and alternative technologies must be used, for example,
harvesting of mist, desalination, and the recycling of grey water for use in
agriculture. In this regard, we stress the importance of adequate
international support to developing countries to ensure wider use of such
technologies and to improve water supply and access.
In the Caribbean, a regional research project is now underway involving
valuing of watersheds and assessment of the use of market instruments
and their ability to pay for watershed services, including water.
The availability of water for future use requires good governance, cogent
policies and the involvement of all. Strengthened institutions with trained
managers to run them; a responsible private sector and an enlightened
public, working together are essential, if we are to me: et our commitments
in the Millennium Declaration and the JPOI.
Water management, including conservation, is everyone's responsibility.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
STATEMENT
by
HONOURABLE DEAN PEART
MINISTER OF LAND AND ENVIRONMENT
at the
HITGWHE-LLEFVTEHL S SEESGSMIOENN OT FO TFH TEHE
COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
30N AEPWR IYLO 2R0K04
Please Check Against Delivery
Mr. Chairman,
Access to clean water and adequate sanitation are fundamental for the
health and development of our citizens.
Jamaica's National Water Policy, in keeping with the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation and Millennium Development Goal 7, aims to achieve
access to potable water by the year 2010 and the establishment of sewerage
systems in all major towns by 2020.
The achievement of the goals set will not be easy given the level of
resources required.
Some of the concerns are:
the inability of poorer groups in society to pay for central services
provided;
the deterioration of watersheds and the associated impacts on water
availability; and
the conversion of upper watershed forest area to agriculture and
housing.
In an effort to address these concerns our approaches include:
the development of participatory approaches including working with
communities and NGOs at the local level;
the use of sweat equity and incremental development of facilities as
important mechanisms for a greater degree of assistance to lowincome
groups; and
I
the provision of designs, professional supervision and guidance,
during construction of facilities to reduce costs and develop effective
systems.
Public education and awareness must be part of all programmes. In some
cases, increasing awareness of the need for conservation of water and
energy has led to up to 17% in savings.
Pricing policies must be realistic enough to stimulate conservation,
discourage waste and ensure cost recovery.
Creative and alternative technologies must be used, for example,
harvesting of mist, desalination, and the recycling of grey water for use in
agriculture. In this regard, we stress the importance of adequate
international support to developing countries to ensure wider use of such
technologies and to improve water supply and access.
In the Caribbean, a regional research project is now underway involving
valuing of watersheds and assessment of the use of market instruments
and their ability to pay for watershed services, including water.
The availability of water for future use requires good governance, cogent
policies and the involvement of all. Strengthened institutions with trained
managers to run them; a responsible private sector and an enlightened
public, working together are essential, if we are to me: et our commitments
in the Millennium Declaration and the JPOI.
Water management, including conservation, is everyone's responsibility.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Stakeholders