UN inks new partnership with the University of the West Indies

Today the United Nations and the University of the West Indies (UWI) signed a new partnership agreement at 9 a.m. in the Dr Aleem Mohammed Meeting Room of the Regional Headquarters of the University of the West Indies.

The Agreement is built on the three (3) pillars of UWI’s Strategic Plan; Access, Alignment and Agility and the four (4) pillars of the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) – the UN roadmap for development within the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

The Declaration of Intent (DOI) was signed by Professor Densil A. Williams, Principal, UWI Mona on behalf of the University and Mr. Dennis Zulu UN Resident Coordinator on behalf of the United Nations system in Jamaica. The signing was hosted at UWI’s Regional Headquarters.

“The latest performance assessment of the SDGs from the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network shows that on average less than one-fifth of the SDG targets are on track to be achieved,” Zulu said.

“It is, therefore, crucial that we all do our best to enhance partnerships, forge enduring collaborations and pool ideas and expertise to support Jamaica and the region in meeting its SDG targets. This UN-UWI partnership aims to do just that,” Zulu added.

The ceremony featured brief presentations from Dr. Stuart Davies UN Senior Economist, and Dr. Nadine McCloud, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics. 

“The research we’ve done so far indicates significant interest in programmes of SDG focus. This [partnership] is timely. As a university, we are in discussions with other international partners which will see us launching academic programmes in social justice and specifically around the SDGs, so as an institution, we can assist Jamaica and the world in ensuring we achieve the SDGs,” Professor Densil A. Williams, Principal, UWI Mona said.

The Declaration identifies initial areas of collaboration including economic transformation and resilience-building for the SDGs, financing for sustainable development, knowledge generation and sharing, data capacity development and others.

“Partnering with the United Nations helps us ensure that no one is left behind in economic or educational gains; whatever we do,” Professor Williams said.

The DOI is signed on the heels of UN Jamaica’s youth partnership Forum aimed at refocusing efforts around the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The one-day event is hosted at UWI’s Regional Headquarters.

“Today’s signing is not just symbolic of our continued commitment to Jamaica, but a step forward in strengthening UN’s partnership with UWI as a key partner in the sustainable development of Jamaica and the region,” Zulu said.