Tag: United Nations General Assembly

100 Jamaican individuals and organizations sign open letter to William and Kate ahead of their visit

March 21, 2022

I am sharing below the Advocates Network’s Open Letter to William and Kate, who bear the titles “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.” The letter is signed by 100 individuals (including myself) and organizations. The royal couple will arrive in Jamaica on Tuesday, March 22 and depart on Thursday, March 24, as part of their … More 100 Jamaican individuals and organizations sign open letter to William and Kate ahead of their visit

Concentrating minds: the Caribbean at the UN in 2021 was shorter and sharper

September 26, 2021

Fast forward to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2021 – and what a difference two years can make. In my last post, I offered a critique of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s somewhat unfocused speech at the UNGA in 2019. Well, the world has changed. Ms. Mottley’s 2021 speech hit home and gave the … More Concentrating minds: the Caribbean at the UN in 2021 was shorter and sharper

A Caribbean woman causes a stir at the United Nations

September 26, 2021

Caribbean people love speeches. I have sat through so many speeches in Jamaica; most have been at least ten minutes too long. I have even written quite a few myself. Yes, Caribbean people know how to “talk the hind leg off a donkey,” as the saying goes. Some political leaders have been famous for it. … More A Caribbean woman causes a stir at the United Nations

Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders’ Declaration focuses on fossil fuels, climate finance, and the ocean

September 23, 2021

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland is drawing nigh, and countries and groupings are lining themselves up, declaring their priorities, polishing up their arguments, getting their “ducks in a row.” Next week, I look forward to learning more from Jamaica’s Climate Change Division (CCD) on how things are shaping up for … More Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders’ Declaration focuses on fossil fuels, climate finance, and the ocean

On Trees That Feed…and What Feeds Them

November 11, 2019

The Prime Minister made an announcement about a major tree-planting programme on September 27, 2019 at the United Nations General Assembly. We are waiting to hear details, although I hear that the programme is still in its planning stages. Still planning? Was the announcement a little premature? In recent years, the Government’s tree-planting programmes have … More On Trees That Feed…and What Feeds Them

JET Disappointed at Reversal of Ratification of Environmental Treaty by Jamaican Government

October 3, 2019

I posted the press release earlier this week from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, correcting an announcement that Jamaica had both signed and ratified the Escazú Agreement. In fact, Jamaica signed but has not yet ratified. This is the Jamaica Environment Trust’s response… The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) notes the October 1 press … More JET Disappointed at Reversal of Ratification of Environmental Treaty by Jamaican Government

Signing of the Escazú Agreement: a Big Step Forward for Environmental Justice and Transparency

September 29, 2019

Please note! As noted in my blog post of October 1, Jamaica signed, but did not ratify the Escazú Agreement, due to a “technical error” according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. However, I am keeping this (now edited) blog post up, since there are useful links that you might like to … More Signing of the Escazú Agreement: a Big Step Forward for Environmental Justice and Transparency

Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park Celebrates 25th Anniversary on International Mountain Day

December 13, 2017

December 11 was International Mountain Day. I would like to write more about the importance of mountains (every day I look up at them from our city), and this year’s theme is quite interesting. Meanwhile, the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park – Jamaica’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site – will celebrate its 25th Anniversary … More Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park Celebrates 25th Anniversary on International Mountain Day

#GoatIslandsSaved, Please Pardon Mr. Garvey, and the PM Live From New York: Jamaica on Sunday, September 25, 2016

September 26, 2016

September has been a hectic month for me – but today, being Sunday, I am slowing down a little to admire our garden. It is flourishing for the first time in the entire year, after a series of afternoon thunderstorms this week brought heavenly rain! Give thanks. It’s been a “mixed bag” week but I … More #GoatIslandsSaved, Please Pardon Mr. Garvey, and the PM Live From New York: Jamaica on Sunday, September 25, 2016