Renewed focus on plans to establish a UN House to accommodate all United Nations (UN) agencies represented in Jamaica, was one of the main points of discussion during a Courtesy Call on Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, by the United Nations Country Team on Tuesday July 26 at the Ministry’s Headquarters.
Recalling that the United Nations has been in Jamaica for 40 years, Minister Johnson Smith expressed her gratitude to the team for the assistance provided by the UN to Jamaica, noting that “the work that the UN does is invaluable and that the relationship between the Jamaican Government and the UN has been a longstanding and fruitful one.” She commended the efforts being made to engender greater efficiency in the arrangements for their accommodations and delivery of service, and expressed the support of her Ministry in this regard.
Jamaica’s effort in the drive towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals identified in the 2030 Agenda, particularly the improvement of the general health and well-being of citizens, was a focal point of interest. The parties also discussed other country projects and activities geared towards safeguarding the environment; mitigating the effects of climate change; the effective and efficient use of renewable energy; and the safeguarding of children’s rights and their protection.
The Team also used the opportunity to provide the Minister with updates on their current UN projects in Jamaica, including the establishment and recent launch of the ‘HeForShe’ campaign led by UN Women which is focused on taking a stand against violence against women and girls.
Bruno Pouezat, Head of the UN Country Team and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, noted that it was the largest gathering of UN Heads and Representatives ever assembled for a Ministerial meeting, signifying the importance of the relationship between the Foreign Ministry and the UN.
In attendance from the UN side were Elsie Laurence-Chounoune, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative; Mark Connolly, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative; Katherine Grigsby, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Director and Representative; Dr. Noreen Jack, World Health Organisation (WHO)/Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Representative; Vincent Sweeney, Head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Caribbean Sub Regional Office; Nkhensani Mathabathe, Officer in Charge at UNAIDS; Siti Oussein, Officer-in Charge at the UN Population Fund (UNFPA); Keisha Livermore; Head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM); and Birgit Gerstenberg, Senior Human Rights Advisor from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
