His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon headed to Jamaica on UNDP visit to champion sustainable solutions for oceans, climate and poverty

His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway will visit Jamaica from November 18-20, 2024, in his role as global Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Since embarking on this role in 2003, the Crown Prince has been dedicated to promoting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1, which aims to eradicate poverty, and Goal 14, focused on the conservation of life below water.

Jamaica's marine and coastal communities are facing growing levels of vulnerability, owing to climate change and other drivers of change, threatening both the resilience of ecosystems and nature-based livelihoods on which communities rely including tourism and fisheries. Crown Prince Haakon will gain firsthand insight into how Jamaica, with support from Norway and UNDP, is working to strengthen its ocean economy and improve resilience in vulnerable communities. This includes efforts to address illegal fishing through UNDP's Blue Resilience Programme, which aims to enhance the management of marine resources and safeguard against transnational crime in the fisheries sector.

While in Jamaica, Crown Prince Haakon will meet with local authorities, youth, and representatives from various communities to discuss challenges and solutions related to oceans, climate change, and poverty. He will visit the coastal community of Rocky Point to learn more about how the Norwegian-supported Blue Resilience Programme is helping secure the future of fishing communities. Additionally, the Crown Prince will visit Mount Airy, where water collection systems have been rehabilitated as part of UNDP’s work to enhance climate adaptation and human security. He will also participate in a dialogue with youth leaders at The University of the West Indies (UWI), discussing how young people can contribute to nature-based solutions, climate action and the fight against poverty in their communities.

UNDP has been present in Jamaica since 1976 and for close to fifty years has partnered with government and communities to combat poverty and inequality, advance gender equality and advance policies and results for a more resilient, sustainable future. Under UNDPs current Country Programme (2022-2026), UNDP helps communities manage risk and build resilience through development initiatives that enhance Social Resilience and Inclusion, Citizen Safety, Security and Rule of Law; Climate Change Resilience; and Sustainable Natural Resource Management, all emphasizing vulnerable communities, so no one is left behind.   The UNDP Multi Country Office also serves The Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos and Cayman Islands where UNDP’s partnerships with government have also advanced goals of sustainable and resilient development pathways.

Read this press release on the website of UNDP Jamaica for information on Press Accreditation.