Foreign Minister Emphasises Need for Global Community to Keep Alive Goal of Limiting Temperature Increase

Given the existential threat of disasters, the global community needs to keep alive the goal of limiting temperature rise, says Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith.

Addressing a disaster preparedness forum with members of the Diplomatic Corps, at the Ministry in downtown Kingston, today (August 29), the Minister said Hurricane Beryl, which impacted the island on July 3, is a clear example of the destruction that catastrophes pose to small island developing states (SIDS).

She argued that just one catastrophic event or one disaster can erode the hard-fought development gains that have been made over many years, and “we are, in fact, warned by scientists to brace for more frequent, more powerful storms”.

“These circumstances move me to again underscore the need for the international community to keep alive the goal of limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels; to ensure the full and effective operation of the Loss and Damage Fund and to adopt a new Climate Finance Goal at COP29,” she told the audience.

The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly known as COP29, will be the 29th United Nations Climate Change conference. COP29 will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November.

The Minister underscored that no one country or region can combat the effects of Climate Change alone, as it requires collective actions, collaboration, and partnerships among all countries, “if we are to truly make meaningful and tangible progress”.

She said the aim of the gathering was to ensure members of the Diplomatic Corps will have a better appreciation of the structure and mechanisms that “we have in place”, including any gaps that could benefit from capacity-building, technical assistance, and funding support, as Jamaica is determined to ensure that, together, it can continue to build resilience and strengthen capacity for emergency management and rapid recovery.

For his part, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said Government recognises the importance of collaboration, and seeks to build partnerships for resilience.

He pointed out that Jamaica has received significant assistance from many countries, and “we are grateful”.

The Minister noted that the country has a system to respond to disaster that is in legislation. “That was done because we believe that Jamaica should be protected,” the Minister said.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) showcased the various mechanisms in place to respond to disasters.