GOJ STRENGTHENS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EU TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGES

Kingston, Jamaica: Friday, May 20, 2022

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ), through the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service hosted a visibility ceremony at the Ministry on Friday, May 20, 2022 for the Financing Agreement between the GOJ and the European Union (EU) to address Environmental and Climate Change challenges through the improved Forest Management in Jamaica Programme.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Nigel Clarke, DPhil., M.P. in his opening remarks, used the opportunity to recognise what he called “an incredible partnership” between the GOJ and the European Union.

“Today we are highlighting one of the more recent grants and it is the grant of Sixteen Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand EURO (€16,695,000.00) from the EU to the Government of Jamaica, a grant that is focused on Climate Change issues and Forestry Management issues. This grant has been critical in advancing policies and programmes in very important areas of Jamaica’s environmental development,” Minister Clarke said.

He further noted, “It is also important for us to recognise that, that contribution has yielded tangible, demonstrable, measurable success, and that goes to show that Jamaica is a partner on which the European Union can depend. When you support us with grant resources, we implement the policies that we commit to implement.”

Minister without Portfolio at the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda in his remarks commended the European Union for being an outstanding partner to Jamaica particularly in “environmental preservation and conservation and building our resilience to climate change.”

Senator Samuda also added, “During the past financial year, 26 of the 46 projects approved were completed with the remaining 20 on track for completion by June 2022. Among the targets under the programme is Indicator 6, which is the completion of the work to declare the Cockpit Country a protected area (CCPA).”

Chargé d’ Affaires at the European Union Delegation to Jamaica, Aniceto Rodriguez Ruíz who was representing Ambassador Marianne Van Steen at the event said, “It is important to note that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has succeeded in achieving the relevant targets under the budget support modality. The eligibility criteria for the budget support fixed tranche are tied to satisfactory progress in the implementation of the forest sector policy, macroeconomic stability, public financial management and budget transparency.”

The EU remains the largest provider of grant assistance to Jamaica and is an important partner in achieving the government’s development objectives. The Government of Jamaica welcomes the  support of the EU to assist the GOJ in implementing the Forest Policy for Jamaica 2017 as well as supporting the 2016-2026 National Forestry Management Conservation Plan (NFMCP) to sustainably manage and utilise Jamaica’s forest resources to enhance social and economic development and contribute to building the country’s climate resilience.

For more information contact:

Corporate Communication & Public Relations Branch
Ministry of Finance and the Public Service
30 National Heroes Circle
Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 932-4656/4660/4655