United Nations Development Programme Jamaica

 A successful joint launch of the 2010 Human Development Report and the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) 2008 & 2009 was held by UNDP, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) on November 23. Prime Minister of Jamaica, Hon. Bruce Golding officially launched the reports and as the Keynote Speaker, reiterated the importance of people as the wealth of the nation.

The UNDP is sponsoring the preparation of the Caribbean Human Development Report on Citizen Security for the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean countries. This report will provide evidence-based recommendations for the development of public policies and programmes to address citizen security issues Click to See Attachment for Brochure

The final report on the Jamaica findings of Mr. Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel and Inhuman Treatment is now available. Speaking at a press conference during his Mission to Jamaica, which lasted from February 12 - 21, 2010, the Special Rapporteur noted that while not finding torture, in the classical sense, of deliberately inflicting severe pain or suffering as a means of extracting a confession or information, he found "a general atmosphere of violence and aggression in almost all places of detention, and a frequent use of beatings as a form of punishment". the Rapporteur expressed his concern about the conditions of detention, saying "I was most concerned about the appalling conditions of detention in general, which reflect a complete disrespect for the human dignity of persons in conflict with the law".

Kingston, October 26, 2010- The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) has awarded the JMITF USD40,000 in grant funding and an additional USD10,000 in co-funding from the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica.

Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, received a warm welcome from Heads of Government of CARICOM at their 31st meeting held July 4-7, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The Secretary General's presence generated significant goodwill from Caribbean leaders, who praised him for being the first Secretary General to attend a CARICOM summit.

Secretary General Ban in his address to the Opening of the Summit of Heads on Sunday, July 4, thanked Caribbean leaders for their profound demonstration of solidarity with Haiti, the newest member of CARICOM, following the devastating earthquake in January. He commended CARICOM's appointment of a Special Representative for Haiti and its creation of an office to oversee regional reconstruction efforts. Mr. Ban encouraged CARICOM leaders to continue cooperating in order to ensure the long-term needs of the Haitian people are met

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has signed a Grant Agreement with the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) to support employment of 324 persons to be engaged in the cleanup of the Coronation Market which was damaged during the outbreak of violence and the subsequent security forces operations in West Kingston.

UNDP today presented a cheque for USD 50,000 to Town Clerk, Errol Green, as its contribution to the cash for work programme now underway.

Jamaica joined the rest of the world in celebrating the efforts of United Nations' peacekeepers who have lost their lives working to maintain global peace and security, on Thursday (June 17).
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Coordinator, Mr. Minh Pham, said Jamaican peacekeepers have done tremendous work over the last 20 years, contributing to a number of peacekeeping missions across the globe.

Water Minister meets with International Development Partners to discuss Water Mitigation Efforts

As Jamaica continues to grapple with severe drought conditions, Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang met recently with International Donor Partners (IDP’s) in the first of a series of discussions to seek assistance to develop the island’s water resources, in order to improve on existing water infrastructure.

Today June 17 the world is celebrating World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) entered into force on December 26, 1996.

UNDP Jamaica and the UNDP Bureau for Development Policy have jointly published the case study of Jamaica's historic debt exchange programme which has already gained international recognition as an innovative debt management strategy for heavily indebted, middle income countries.

JDX Discussion Paper