Strengthening Environmental Laws Will Result in Sustained Economic Growth – PM

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says the first ever Inter-American Congress on the Environmental Rule of Law, which is being held in Montego Bay, St. James, will go a far way in strengthening environmental laws, policies and institutions across the Americas.

Addressing the opening of the Congress at the Secrets Resorts on March 30, Mrs. Simpson Miller said the strengthening of the laws will also result in sustained economic growth and development of the people of the region.

“We hope that this conference will assist the region, including the Caribbean small island developing states, to strengthen our environmental laws, policies and institutions. These will, in turn, support sustained economic growth and development as well as the social well-being of the people of the region,” she said.

The Prime Minister is also lauding agencies, such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), for their partnership with member states, including Jamaica, in the area of sustainable development.

“Your cooperation programmes give solid technical and financial support for national and multinational project proposals by member states, including Jamaica. Your technical assistance to Jamaica have allowed us to increase our capacity in several key sectors, including education, energy, science and technology, social development and the ecosystems management,” she noted.

Underscoring the importance of the environmental rule of law for sustainable development, the Prime Minister said it must be re-enforced by good governance, accountability, transparency and fairness under effective institutional frameworks at the local and national levels.

“The environmental rule of law for sustainable development and environmental justice is very important. It is essential for the achievement of sustainable development goals and environmental imperatives,” the Prime Minister emphasised.

Congratulating the organisers of the congress, she said the event will assist in furthering the debate on effective environmental governance in the Americas.

She pointed out that the challenges faced by small island states, such as Jamaica, are great, as the nation’s transition to sustainable development.

“It is appropriate that further debate on effective environmental governance in the Americas is being held in a small island developing state. For small island developing states, such as Jamaica, achieving sustainable development is very challenging. Our ecosystems are very fragile and vulnerable to climate change. Thankfully, these challenges are well recognised and acknowledged, not only by us the states, but by the global community,” the Prime Minister said.