Remarks - Launch of the National Conservation Trust Fund - UNDP Programmes Specialist

June 5, 2019

Richard Kelly, UNDP Programme Specialist

Launch of the National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica

Wednesday, 5 June 2019 @ 10 a.m.,

Terra Nova Hotel

Greetings

  • Senator Matthew Samuda
  • Mr. David Dobson, Acting Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Tourism representing The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, CD, MP - Minister of Tourism
  • Mr. Yaneke Watson, Chief Technical Director representing The Honourable Daryl Vaz, MP, Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Land, Environment, Climate Change and Investments within the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
  • Mrs. Audrey Sewell, CD, JP, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation
  • Mr. Ainsworth Carroll, Director of the Planning, Projects, Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Division, representing Mr. Peter Knight, JP, Chief Executive Officer of the National Environment and Planning Agency
  • Ms. Eleanor Phillips, Vice Chair of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund & Director of External Affairs for the Caribbean at The Nature Conservancy
  •  Mr. Yabanex Batista, Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund
  • Members of the Board
  • Development partners and Colleagues from the Government
  • Ladies and gentlemen All,

Good Morning

I am delighted to represent UNDP at this timely and relevant event this morning. Empowering people through human development is at the core of UNDP’s role, and we recognize the contribution that ecosystems, natural resources and in particular protected areas can play in ensuring sustainable livelihoods of persons. Jamaica’s economy is highly dependent on its natural resources, and ecosystems play a critical role in addressing the impacts of climate change.

Recognizing the important role of the country’s protected areas and the challenges to manage them, UNDP partnered with the Government of Jamaica to implement the “Strengthening the Operational and Financial Sustainability of the National Protected Area System (NPAS)” Project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNDP to the tune of US$2.2 million, with support from the Government. The project sought to strengthen the national response to the effective management of protected areas. These valuable assets are not only physically beautiful but they also hold the key to the delicate ecological balance and biological diversity of the nation.

 Among the myriad of significant achievments under the NPAS project, was the setting up of the National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica (NCTFJ) in 2014. We believe that the NCTFJ has and will play a critical role in Jamaica’s development for the following reasons:

·       It will bolster and advance the country’s efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 Jamaica and the Sustainable Development Goals

·       It will ensure that the country’s rich endowment of biological resources are protected and used in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all Jamaicans

·       It will ensure that ecosystem based goods and services not only enrich people’s lives but reach the most vulnerable in the socierty, so that no one is left behind.

·       It incorporates multi-level and multi-sector partnerships necessary for the success of such a unique funding mechanism for protected areas management.

Although still fledgling, one could conclude that the NCTFJ is a manifestation of innovation, creativity, perserverance and tenacity akin to the characteristics of the Jamaican people. On this momentous occasion, UNDP lauds the Government of Jamaica, the members of the Board and staff of the NTCFJ as well as the many donors and development partners who have contributed to its development. Special thanks to the World Bank, KfW, USAID and the The Nature Conservancy for supporting this grand venture. The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund has stayed the course and through its relentless support, on this occasion, the NCTFJ is signing the historic Partnership Agreement.  We encourage strong and strategic partnerships which will be needed to ensure that this special funding mechanism for protected areas achieves its aspirations. It will need the firm nurturing and consistent hand of Government to steer it to unbridled success. I urge the NTCFJ in the words of Goethe to “be bold and mighty forces will be released unto you”.

I thank you.