KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica is to participate with other countries across the world to explore measures and actions for promoting the sustainability of the oceans and aquatic resources, establish networks for collaboration, promote new technologies and share best practices, at the Sustainable Blue Economy conference to be held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Pearnel Charles Jr, will lead a delegation from November 26-28, to deliver on the country’s position in working towards the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

“The conference seeks to leverage the latest innovations, scientific advances and best practices to simultaneously grow the economy and build prosperity, whilst maintaining, preserving and conserving the environment and earth’s natural resources,” Charles Jr explained in a release from his ministry. “In this respect, Heads of Government, ministers and heads of organisations will be invited to make commitments to protect the associated resources, giving credence to the conference’s theme, the Blue Economy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development.”

The ministry said that priority areas of focus for the Jamaican delegation at the conference will include the management, preservation and conservation of marine life; climate action, agriculture and pollution free oceans.

Employment, job creation and poverty eradication are also crucial focus areas for the Jamaican delegation, which will be constituted by members of the National Council on Ocean and Coastal Zone Management, academia and civil society.