REMARKS

Dr Elsie Laurence-Chounoune, UNDP Resident Representative a.i.

Climate Proofing Workshop

21 February 2019

Alhambra Hotel

Acknowledgements

• Ambassador the Honourable Douglas Saunders – Cabinet Secretary
• Mr. Yaneke Watson – Chief Technical Director, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC)
• Mrs Mary Seaton, Acting Principal Director, Policy Analysis and Review Unit, Cabinet Office
• Dr Vincent Little
• Policy Analysts
• Other Distinguished Guests

A pleasant morning.

On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme, I am pleased to bring remarks at this Climate Proofing Training for Policy Analysts, which aims at building Government’s capacity to identify Climate Change risks, opportunities and challenges in the development planning cycle, so that development measures are more efficient and resilient.

This training is quite timely, as the world is at a critical point in its collective efforts to address Climate Change. We know that Climate Change poses a significant threat to our region with far reaching impacts on our Environment, Society, Economy and Culture. As such, we cannot overstate the importance of integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation consideration in policies, to minimize these potential threats.

Therefore, UNDP was happy to partner with the Climate Change Division and the Office of the Cabinet to deliver this climate proofing training. The concept and practice of policy proofing is well suited for societies with complex development contexts such as Jamaica’s. Integrated and inclusive policy proofing processes allow for crosscutting issues, such as Climate Change and even Gender, to be meaningfully addressed across sectors.  Further, they ensure that no one is left behind in our development efforts, a key principle of Agenda 2030.

Through this training, the strengthened capacity of Policy Analysts directly contributes to the attainment of Vision 2030, Jamaica’s National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which Jamaica has committed to achieving. Goal 13, Climate Action, specifically speaks to the need to integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

What then does this integration of Climate Change proofing require? As a start, we need to think in a non-siloed manner, looking beyond our respective sectors and specializations to see the broad impact of our work on national development. Our policies, in essence, will be integral in addressing Climate Change risks, and ultimately, the attainment of the multi-faceted elements of development, incorporating a focus on people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.

UNDP lauds the Government on its efforts to address Climate Change, in particular, for convening this training, which pulls together a wide range of policy analysts from across sectors.

We remain committed to advancing sustainable human development and working collaboratively to mainstream Climate Change mitigation and adaptation into development processes.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you. Have a productive and successful workshop.