KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, joins representatives of over 150 countries who will sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change today, April 22, at a special event convened by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York.

Fittingly, the signing ceremony coincides with the celebration of Earth Day — a day earmarked annually for global recognition of the need for protection of the environment.

The Paris Agreement, which was adopted at the Climate Change Summit in Paris in December 2015, signals the commitment of the international community to combat climate change and its wide-ranging effects.

”The Agreement is especially important to Small Island Developing States, like Jamaica, which are particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change, including sea-level rise and coastal erosion.

Taking steps to address climate change at the national level, and supporting ambitious action at the global level, is central to Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to the achievement of sustainable development,” Minister Johnson Smith said.

Jamaica’s national energy policy, which formed the core of Jamaica’s submission to the global effort, commits the country to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions below 7.8 per cent of current levels.

By signing the agreement, Jamaica gains access to technology transfer and financial, technical and capacity building support for adaptation and mitigation activities to address the impact of climate change.