Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations, Ambassador E Courtenay Rattray, is set to give remarks as the keynote speaker for this year’s 36th Annual Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Awards Ceremony.

With his years of experience and expertise in International Relations and Sustainable Development at the United Nations, the JCC believes that Rattray is truly representative of its charge to create and support a healthy economy and contribute to the betterment of life for all Jamaicans.

Rattray was appointed as the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations on June 1st, 2013, after serving a five-year term as Jamaica’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, Ambassador Rattray co-chairs the UN Group of Friends (GoF) of SDG Financing. The GoF is charged with the goal of promoting solution-oriented ideas to mobilise the global pool of private capital required to finance the estimated implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also co-chairs the Group of Friends on Children and the SDGs.

“I am honoured to participate as guest speaker at the Chamber’s 36th Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony, and look forward to sharing details of the important initiatives and areas of work that Jamaica is pursuing at the United Nations.

“Our engagement with the international community spans all pillars of the UN’s work, from international peace and security, to sustainable development and the promotion of human rights, which is in keeping with the theme of this year’s gala event, ‘People, Purpose & Passion’. I particularly look forward to informing of the leadership role being played by Jamaica in mobilising the private sector to support implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” noted Rattray.

In alignment with the UN’s SDGs, the JCC aims to evolve and improve Jamaica as a nation, through support of the Jamaican economy. “The JCC recognises the need for people who are fulfilling their purpose with an unabashed, relentless passion in order to propel the entire nation forward and it is for this reason we chose the theme ‘People, Purpose & Passion’.

“It boldly envisages the mandate of the JCC to connect Jamaican people to the passions that will fuel them to their ultimate purpose and potently aligns with the UN’s SDGs focus on ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all. As such, it is apropos that we have Ambassador Rattray as our guest speaker who will provide thoughtful dissertation on the intersection of those goals with the Jamaican business community in the context of our theme,” said Dianne Ashton-Smith, chairperson for the JCC Annual Awards Banquet Committee.

As the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 36th Annual Awards Ceremony, the people and companies that are excelling in their pursuit of purpose and who have blazed a trail in the areas of financial performance, business growth and innovation throughout the year will be recognised.

JCC’s 2017 nominees includes Best of Chamber Extra Large: GraceKennedy Limited, Jamaica Producers Group Limited, Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd and Red Stripe; Best of Chamber Large: Nestle Jamaica Ltd, First Global Bank Ltd; Best of Chamber Medium: COK Sodality Co-Operative Credit Union, Main Event Entertainment Group, and Fraser Fontaine & Kong Insurance Brokers and the Best of Chamber Small nominees are Jamaica Energy Partners, Eustace Lee and Caribcash Jamaica Ltd.

Garrick Communications, ESIROM, Aim Educational Services, Adam & Eve Day Spa, and TIC – Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics & Leadership are the nominees for the Entrepreneur Award.

The JCC Yello Marketing Excellence Award, courtesy of Yello, seeks to recognise companies that have created outstanding and impactful marketing campaigns and activations during the previous year. The nominees for 2017 are JMMB Group, TIC — Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics & Leadership, Chas E Ramson, Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd and Caribcash Jamaica Ltd.