US$9.5 Million Grant for Five-Year Plan of Action Programme

A US$9.5 million grant to assist with poverty reduction and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; environmental sustainability and energy security; and democratic governance, has been secured by the Government from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The agreement was formalised by Director General, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson, who signed on behalf of the Government, while Resident Representative/ United Nations Resident Co-ordinator of the UNDP, Dr. Arun  Kashyap,  signed on behalf of  the UNDP, Monday January 30, at the PIOJ offices, in New Kingston.

The grant will be used to implement the five-year “Country Programme Plan of Action (CPAP) 2012–2016.” CPAP, which covers the elements of UNDP support to a national programme of development over the next five years, began with a Common Country Assessment, which looked at Jamaica’s socio-economic conditions.

In his remarks, Dr. Hutchinson said the arrangement is cause for celebration, as the approximately $780 million is not only a major investment in the country’s social and governance development, but reflected “proper country ownership.”

He pointed out that the process leading to the successful conclusion of the aid package was “inclusive,” as it reflected participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including civil society and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Areas of focus include the Metcalfe Street Juvenile Correctional Centre, the Rural Employment Programme and initiatives to deepen and strengthen democratic governance, including enhancing the representation by elected individuals at the local as well as the parliamentary levels.

While sharing the sentiments of the PIOJ, Dr. Kashyap said the aid package was consistent with Jamaica’s Vision 20/30 Programme, and was in support of the Government’s Medium Term Economic Programme.

He added that the programme, while placing emphasis on the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, would also contribute to the Government’s on-going reform efforts as well as the county’s proper fiscal management.

Vision 2030 Jamaica is the country’s first long-term national development plan, which aims at enabling Jamaica to achieve developed country status by 2030.  It is based on a comprehensive vision:  “Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.”