More than 200 delegates, including high-level ministers and technical experts from 18 Caribbean countries will meet in Kingston from June 28 to 30 to advance and accelerate regional action on the most comprehensive blueprint for eliminating extreme poverty, reducing inequality, and protecting the planet the world has ever seen — the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 17 SDGs, commonly known around the globe as Agenda 2030, will take centre stage at Caribbean Action 2030: Regional Conference on the Sustainable Development Goals when delegates seek to advance regional action in the areas of resources mobilisation, civil society participation, strong evidence base for policy and capacity building.Caribbean Action 2030 is being hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Jamaica, led by Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, in partnership with The University of the West Indies and the United Nations in the Caribbean, which is funding the event.The opening ceremony on June 28 will be addressed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, UWI Vice Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles, and UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jessica Faieta, among other dignitaries.Ministers of Government from the English-and Dutch- speaking Caribbean will deliberate in plenary, panel discussions and solutions workshops joined by delegates from civil society, academia, youth, and non- governmental organisations. More than 30 local, regional and international academics and experts in their field will present papers highlighting research, national experiences and opportunities in SDG action in the region.American Professor Raymond Saner, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Northwestern Switzerland, will speak on ‘Financing the Sustainable Development Goals through Private Public Partnerships’ at a private sector working lunch. Professor Jeffrey Sachs — world-renowned professor of economics, leader in sustainable development, senior UN advisor, best-selling author, and syndicated columnist will lead a distinguished lecture on the evening of the 28th.A youth forum will bring young people together on the 29th to share their perspective for accelerated SDG action, including ideas for organising and networking youth for Agenda 2030 advocacy in the post conference period.Key outcomes of the deliberations of the conference will be synthesised into a partnership framework agreement expected to be signed by participating ministers.Caribbean Action 2030 will evolve into a movement in the post-conference period to encourage information sharing advocacy and highlighting best practices, challenges and solutions in SDG implementation in the region.