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UNEP to Retain Caribbean Headquarters in Jamaica

February 20, 2007

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The Government of Jamaica and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Monday (Feb.19) renewed a five-year agreement for the organization to retain its Caribbean headquarters in Kingston.
Minister of Local Government and Environment, Hon. Dean Peart, in his remarks at the signing ceremony held at the Ministry’s offices on Half-Way Tree Road, explained that under the agreement, the UNEP would continue to occupy an office at the Jamaica Conference Centre downtown Kingston free of cost, with the government having the overall responsibility for any major modification to the building.
“This agreement gives UNEP the offices for five years rent-free. UNEP will maintain the building.the generator, the air conditioning unit, and pay electricity and water. Any major repairs to the building will be the (responsibility) of the government of Jamaica,” he pointed out.
Mr. Peart noted that the Caribbean headquarters of UNEP has been in Jamaica since 1985, and the government was very pleased to provide the facility to the organization. “You have been doing a good job here in the Caribbean and I want to thank you on behalf of the government and the people of Jamaica. I hope that we will continue this good relationship,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, Nelson Andrade Colmenares, UNEP Coordinator, thanked the government for hosting the organization’s Caribbean headquarters.
Explaining UNEP’s role in the region, he outlined that the organization seeks to encourage governments to care for the environment. “We work with governments in assisting them to evaluate how sewage is treated before it is dumped into the ocean; we work in the protection of the coral reefs; we work in the implementation of environment projects; we assist government to see that whatever is done on land will affect the marine environment,” Mr. Colmenares said.

Last Updated: February 20, 2007

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