KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, has called for increased financing, technology transfer, capacity building, and technical support to assist small island developing states (SIDS) in strengthening ocean governance and promoting the sustainable development of the blue economy.

Speaking at the Island States Ocean Summit, being held from June 3 to 4, Samuda said Jamaica’s future is closely tied to the health and sustainability of its marine and coastal ecosystems.

He noted that blue economy sectors play a major role in national development, with industries such as tourism contributing an estimated 20 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product and supporting more than 500,000 jobs, representing approximately 37 per cent of the labour force.

The minister highlighted several measures Jamaica has undertaken to improve ocean governance and sustainable marine management. Among them is the country’s 2025 ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), which falls under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Samuda also pointed to plans to reconvene the National Council on Ocean and Coastal Zone Management (NCOCZM), a multisectoral, multistakeholder committee of Cabinet, which will be supported by a Blue Economy Working Group to enhance coordination and integrated decision-making across all blue sectors.

He said Jamaica has also finalised its Overarching Policy for the Protected Areas System and advanced work on a Cays Management Policy to support, among other priorities, the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Jamaica’s national biodiversity targets.

“In recent years, Jamaica has also expanded marine conservation efforts through the legal declaration of additional fish sanctuaries and protected areas aimed at strengthening biodiversity conservation, supporting sustainable fisheries, promoting ecosystem restoration, and enhancing climate resilience,” Samuda shared.

Currently, 15.4 per cent of the country’s archipelagic waters are designated as protected areas.

“Jamaica, therefore, views sustainable ocean planning and management as an essential tool for balancing environmental protection with sustainable economic growth and social development. It provides a framework to strengthen governance and ensure that marine resources continue to benefit present and future generations,” he said.

Looking ahead, Samuda said Jamaica intends to advance the development of its Sustainable Ocean Plan and the Blue Economy Strategy in 2027 and 2028, respectively.

Despite the progress, Samuda warned that climate change continues to pose a significant threat to the island. He said more than 80 per cent of Jamaica’s population lives along the coastline or within five kilometres of the coast, making communities, infrastructure, livelihoods and ecosystems particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

He cited the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025 as a stark reminder of those vulnerabilities. According to the minister, damage from the category five storm was estimated at US$12.2 billion, equivalent to approximately 56.7 per cent of Jamaica’s 2024 GDP.

In response, the Government has established the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority to strengthen the country’s preparedness and recovery capabilities.

In his address, Samuda also stressed the importance of investment in blue carbon markets, arguing that participation in global carbon trading systems could provide new economic opportunities for SIDS while supporting international emissions reduction efforts.

He called for increased financing, technology transfer, capacity building and technical assistance to help small island states strengthen ocean governance and advance sustainable blue economy initiatives.

“Through stronger partnerships and collective action, we can safeguard our ocean resources while building resilient and sustainable economies,” Samuda said.