MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE
2 Port Royal Street, Kingston
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Jamaica to make Oral Submission at ICJ Hearings on Climate Change
Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is leading a Jamaican delegation to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in The Hague, Netherlands, where the Government will make an oral submission to the United Nations’ (UN) top Court on Friday
The ICJ hearings at the Peace Palace stem from UN General Assembly Resolution no. 77/276. Jamaica was among 105 nations that co-sponsored this resolution. The UN’s top Court is being asked to establish the obligations of states in respect of protection of the environment against harmful greenhouse emissions, as well as the consequences for causing significant harm to the climate and other parts of the environment
“Jamaica, as a member of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), continues to draw on collaborative efforts to highlight the urgent need for climate action and justice. For Jamaica and our fellow small island nations who have already started to experience devastating impacts, this case is about our very survival. Over the years and despite their commitments, major emitters have failed to adequately address climate change. Jamaica’s strong advocacy now moves to the ICJ and our statement
will bolster the demand of all small island states for protection of the environment and for climate justice for current and future generations”, Johnson Smith said.
The advisory opinion being asked of the ICJ could influence international climate policy, affirming the legal obligation of developed nations to support vulnerable countries with financial and technical resources for climate mitigation and adaptation.
The delegation comprises senior officers of the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Foreign Ministry, having been supported in preparations by the Ministries of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Health and Wellness, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, among other Departments and Agencies of Government
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10.00 a.m. in The Hague (4.00 a.m. local time) and will be live-streamed via the following link: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k18/k18cjnzxob.
