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Jamaica
Voluntary National Review 2018

INTRODUCTION

Jamaica has demonstrated its commitment to achieving sustainable and inclusive development through Vision 2030 Jamaica, the country’s first long-term national development plan. The Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report for Jamaica coincides with the preparation of the 4th successive Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF) 2018–2021, which is the mechanism for prioritization, planning, review and monitoring of the implementation of Vison 2030 Jamaica. The MTF is underpinned by the three dimensions of sustainable development (social, economic and environmental), inclusiveness and equity, all consistent with the 2030 Agenda. Jamaica’s main messages in the VNR include strong national ownership and commitment to the SDGs; systematic and integrated framework for monitoring and implementation of national development priorities; key development achievements since 2015, and priorities for 2018–2021; inclusiveness and participation of stakeholders; challenges; and next steps.

NATIONAL OWNERSHIP

Vision 2030 Jamaica represents the country’s commitment to good governance, democratic principles and participation of the citizenry in national development. This commitment has been extended to the 2030 Agenda, through national and sector specific consultations with stakeholders to identify and align the country’s development priorities. Localization of the SDGs is framed in Vision 2030 Jamaica, resulting in a seamless integration; additionally there is a 91.3 per cent alignment between both. The Road Map for SDGs Implementation approved by the Cabinet in June 2017 identified the MTF as the primary vehicle for monitoring the implementation of Vision 2030 Jamaica and the SDGs. 

INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK FOR MONITORING IMPLEMENTATION

The national coordination mechanism for the 2030 Agenda comprises the National 2030 Agenda Oversight Committee (NAOC); the Thematic Working Groups; and the 2030 Agenda SDGs Core Group (Core Group).  The NAOC established in 2017, reports through the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to Cabinet and Parliament and provides policy and strategic advice for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the SDGs. The NAOC is a technical body of high-level representatives from government, civil society groups, private sector, academia, trade unions, political directorate and youth. The Core Group comprises the PIOJ, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT), and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).

Data, Monitoring and Reporting

National consultations convened in March 2016, to assess Jamaica’s data and statistical capacity for monitoring the SDGs indicators, highlighted that Jamaica currently produces 66 indicators.  STATIN has lead the process to establish a coordinated National Statistics System.  Jamaica’s engagement with the Inter-Agency Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGS) provides for continued opportunities to advocate for support to develop national and regional statistical capacity.  

INCLUSIVENESS, STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND PARTNERSHIP

A Communications and Advocacy Roadmap 2018–2021 has been developed to inform communications and stakeholder engagement regarding the SDGs. The process of sensitization began in 2017 to “Localise the SDGs”, under the theme “The Jamaica We Want: Vision 2030 Jamaica advancing the SDGs…Leaving no one behind”.

PERFORMANCE 2015-2018 & PRIORITIES FOR 2018-2021

Under MTF 2015–2018, critical strides were made in achieving medium term development outcomes as Jamaica maintained its position among countries with a High Human Development ranking and improved in key indicators of human capital development, made significant gains towards macro-economic stability and improved in key prerequisite areas for growth.  
Under MTF 2018–2021, the country will continue the Economic Reform Programme (ERP), which has been credited with macro-economic gains, and provide greater focus to economic growth and job creation. The revision, formulation and implementation of several critical social policies and strategies to address the changing demographics will be pursued to harness the demographic bonus.  The country will also advance approaches of climate-proofing for development and continue the pursuit of policies to strengthen sustainable management of the environment and build the country’s resilience to natural and man-made disasters. 

CHALLENGES

Jamaica continues to be affected by challenges, triggered by vulnerabilities and external economic shocks including: the impact of natural disasters, negative effects of climate change, and high levels of indebtedness. Jamaica is challenged to implement policies that will trigger fast and sustained progress towards the goals in a context of limited fiscal space.

NEXT STEPS

Accelerating SDGs implementation will require focus on:

  • Implementation of national priorities in MTF 2018–2021
  • Strengthening the national statistics system
  • Improving the M&E framework
  • Identifying mechanisms and strategies for financing the SDGs
  • Improving policy coherence and building capacity in policy integration and the use of goal-oriented, evidence-based, and participatory frameworks to formulate, implement and review policies and strategies for sustainable development
  • Ongoing SDGs communication and advocacy programme.
Focal point
Rev. Anserd Williams
Chairman,
Sustainable Development Council of Jamaica,
Kingston

Partnerships & Commitments
The below is a listing of all partnership initiatives and voluntary commitments where Jamaica is listed as a partner or lead entity in the Partnerships for SDGs online platform
Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI)

The Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) is an historic conservation initiative that brings together for the first time governments, companies and partners to accelerate action on conservation in the Caribbean. Together, the 9 participating countries and territories have committed to conserve at least 20% of nearshore and coastal environments in marine protected areas by 2020 with the help of private and public sector partners. The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund has been established to support achievement of the CCI commitments by 2020.

Partners
8 island nations — Bahamas; Dominican Republic; Jamaica; Saint Vincent and Grenadines; Saint Lucia; Grenada; Antigua and Barbuda; Saint Kitts and Nevis. Sponsored by Private sectors and country governments.
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Expansion of maritime area declared as marine protected area under national legislation

(i) Objective: To increase Jamaica's maritime area declared as marine protected area under national legislation by an estimated two per cent (2%) by the year 2019. (ii) Implementation Methodologies: As at 2013, 15.1% of Jamaicas maritime area (archipelagic baseline) has been declared as marine protected areas under national legislation. The country will increase its marine protected areas by an estimated two per cent (2%) by 2019 with the declaration of the Pedro Cays and surrounding waters (area) and the Black River protected landscape/seascape. The Pedro Cays: South-west (Bird) Cay,...[more]

Partners
National Environment and Planning Agency (Government) Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (Government) Fisheries Division (Government)
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Fisheries Conservation in the Wider Caribbean Region through FAO's Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC)

The general objective of the Commission is to promote the effective conservation, management and development of the living marine resources of the area of competence of the Commission, in accordance with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and address common problems of fisheries management and development faced by members of the Commission. 16 of WECAFC's 35 members are considered small island developing States.

Partners
Member governments: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, France, European Community, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Korea (Rep. of), Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United S...[more]
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
IHO Hydrography Capacity Building Programme for Coastal States

The IHO capacity building programme seeks to assess and advise on how countries can best meet their international obligations and serve their own best interests by providing appropriate hydrographic and nautical charting services. Such services directly support safety of navigation, safety of life at sea, efficient sea transportation and the wider use of the seas and oceans in a sustainable way, including the protection of the marine environment, coastal zone management, fishing, marine resource exploration and exploitation, maritime boundary delimitation, maritime defence and security, and o...[more]

Partners
International Hydrographic Organization (IGO); 87 IHO Member States (Governments); International Maritime Organization (UN); World Meteorological Organization (UN); International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (NGO)
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
IWECO - Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States

The Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (GEF-IWEco Project) is a five-year multi-focal area regional project that will be financed from (i) country GEF STAR allocations under Land Degradation and Biodiversity portfolios for national interventions and supported by (ii) funding from the GEF International Waters and Sustainable Forest Management portfolios for regional-level actions. A total of ten Caribbean countries will be participating in the project.

Partners
Antigua & Barbuda; Cuba; Barbados; Dominican Republic; Grenada; Jamaica; Saint Kitts & Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent & the Grenadines; Trinidad & Tobago with the support of GEF, UNEP , UNDP, CARPHA, CAR/RCU
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership

The Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP) is designed to strengthen the capacity of countries in the Caribbean to invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies, as prioritised in their Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). These technologies will help reduce the dependence on fossil fuel imports, setting the region on a low-emission development path; as well as improve the region’s ability to respond to climate risks and opportunities in the long-run, through resilient development approaches that go beyond disa...[more]

Partners
Government of Japan, United Nations Development Programme, Governments of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Republic of Guyana, Jamaica, Belize and the Republic of Suriname, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, University of West Indies, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Marine cooperation in capacity building

To promote marine scientific cooperation with relevant government departments of small island developing countries and other state holders in the fields of marine environment and biodiversity protection, marine disaster prevention and mitigation, blue economy and other fields of common interests; To promote the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States by providing personnel training, technical assistant etc.

Partners
Relevant government departments of small island developing countries and other state holders, having signed MOU (interdepartmental) on Maritime Cooperation with Jamaica, Maldives and Mauritius.
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
SIDS Partnership in New Sustainable Technologies

The UNCSD SIDS Partnership in New Sustainable Technologies is an outgrowth of presentations made at UNSIDS in Barbados and UNSIDS in Mauritius. The Partnership held several events at CSD at UN Headquarters which were regarded by the UNCSD staff as the most successful presentations ever held there. The Partnership issued the 40 Chapter GREEN DISC: NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR A NEW FUTURE in partnership with the Jamaican Government at UNFCC in Copenhagen. This multimedia Gibby Green Thin Disc uses innovative web-enabled technology to produce discs that can be rolled up and inserted into magazines, but ...[more]

Partners
It is not possible to list all partners in this space, as we are producing a work with nearly a hundred authors and organizations. The Global Coral Reef Alliance, and the Soil Carbon Alliance play lead roles in organizing the partnership, and the Jamaican Government will be organizing a Side Event for its launching.
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Strengthening of the national policy and legislative frameworks governing protected areas, including marine protected areas

Objective: To strengthen Jamaica's policy and legislative frameworks governing protected areas, including marine protected areas Implementation Methodologies: To effect the promulgation of the Cays Management Policy, a new protected areas policy and overarching protected areas legislation. The process to finalize these policy and legislative instruments will include consultations with stakeholders, including the general public.

Partners
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (Government) National Environment and Planning Agency (Government) Fisheries Division (Government) Forestry Department (Government) Jamaica National Heritage Trust (Government)
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Consumption and Production for SIDS Initiative (within the 10YFP)

i. Facilitate the preparation and implementation of national SCP Plans and sub-regional coordination planning frameworks for SIDS, including the promotion of lifecycle based and integrated planning methods (e.g. Coastal Tourism Development on the basis of ICZM and Carrying Capacity) into national and sectoral development planning.ii. Seek international financial assistance to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns in SIDS, including, inter alia, in the development of sustainable products and services, sustainable food systems, waste management, marine litter, sustainable publi...[more]

Partners
UNEP, 10YFP, South Pacific Tourism Organisation, Mauritius, Samoa, Barbados, Jamaica, Seychelles, Comoros
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
United Nations