MONTEGO BAY, St James — After accepting an invitation to join the Coastal Cities Coalition (3C) Steering Group, Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon is already identifying ways in which the group’s work can have more impact.

“I want to look at coastal erosion and flooding that threaten livelihoods, infrastructure, and the local economy; [on] community resilience, strengthening public awareness, ocean literacy, and participatory governance so citizens are part of the adaptation journey,” Vernon told the Jamaica Observer on Monday.

The appointment to the 3Cs steering group follows the mayor’s participation in, and subsequent engagements stemming from the 2026 Berlin Climate Mobility Forum on June 18 and 19.

According to Vernon, his other priorities include improving access to financing for rapid-response adaptation, ensuring communities can act quickly after climate-related shocks.

However, he said a key area of focus would be on strengthening capacity among those involved in climate-resilience efforts.

“[Addressing] knowledge gaps, ensuring that scientific data is translated into practical tools for local decision-making is important,” he said.

Vernon becomes the first Jamaican mayor to join the steering group, which was established in 2025. In the role, he will represent not only Jamaica and the Caribbean, but also the Inter-American region.

The coalition supports coastal cities and regions to address a multitude of interrelated challenges, including erosion and submersion; extreme climate events; degradation of ecosystems, water, and soil salinisation; along with environmental stressors threatening sustainable development.

The steering group provides strategic leadership and oversight of the coalition’s programme of activities while advancing partnerships, resource mobilisation, and advocacy efforts.

As a cross-regional body, it is expected to lead the coalition’s efforts to mobilise global support for the shared agenda of coastal cities and regions worldwide.

“The feeling is one of hope, but also deep responsibility to represent Montego Bay, Jamaica, and the wider Caribbean,” Vernon said.

“It affirms that our struggles and solutions are recognised globally, and it motivates me to ensure that our leadership contributes meaningfully to the coalition’s mission,” he added.

The mayor believes his appointment will also bring significant benefits to Montego Bay.

“My expectation is to ensure that Montego Bay’s voice, and by extension Jamaica’s, is heard in shaping global strategies for coastal resilience. I anticipate building partnerships that translate into tangible support for our communities: financing for adaptation, knowledge-sharing platforms, and capacity-building that empowers local leadership,” he explained.

“It positions us as beneficiaries of international support and contributors of local knowledge and innovation,” he added.

The mayor also pledged to advocate strongly for the wider Caribbean.

“It means representation in a coalition where small island and coastal states can influence global policy, secure resources, and highlight the unique vulnerabilities of our region,” he said.