Caribbean News
House Passes Legislation to Establish National Natural Disaster Reserve Fund
#Kingston, Jamaica, June 6, 2024 – Legislation to establish a National Natural Disaster Reserve Fund (NNDRF) was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 4).
The Bill, the Financial Administration and Audit (Amendment) (No. 3) Act, 2023, was piloted by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke. He said the Bill, amongst other things, identifies the sources of funding for the NNDRF and the conditions under which withdrawals may be made from it.
“The establishment of the NNDRF seeks to buttress and strengthen the Government’s disaster risk management framework, given the vulnerabilities that Jamaica faces,” the Minister said.
Dr. Clarke stated that small island Caribbean states such as Jamaica are especially vulnerable to natural disasters, adding that even without the direct hit of a hurricane, the fiscal impact can exceed two per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).
He noted that the financial management of such disaster risks is a priority of the Government, especially as Jamaica faces the increased prospect of more frequent and intense natural disasters.
“Notwithstanding the reference to natural disasters in the name of the Fund, the Government is… concerned with non-natural disasters as well. So, disasters, such as a severe economic contraction, is contemplated by the amendments to the Bill,” Dr. Clarke indicated.
He said the NNDRF’s fiscal resources are intended to treat with disasters that severely affect the economy and lead to a fiscal impact of 1.5 per cent or more of GDP, whether through revenue loss, increased expenditure or both.
“It is important to note that the NNDRF is not meant to replace or displace the role of the National Disaster Fund, established under the Disaster Risk Management Act, which has an entirely different purpose, which is mitigation preparedness, rapid early response and recovery,” Dr. Clarke informed.
He explained that the NNDRF is a financial risk management tool that forms part of Jamaica’s multi-layered suite of instruments to provide fiscal resources that enable the Government to respond to the major impact of disasters or to the impact of major disasters.
“It is for these reasons that the provisions established in the NNDRF are linked to section 48c, Subsection Two of the Financial Administration and Audit Act, as it is this section that allows for the suspension of the fiscal rules under certain circumstances,” Dr. Clarke outlined.
“So, the construct of the Section is that, if there is a natural disaster or economic contraction that is projected to have or has had a fiscal impact that exceeds one and a half per cent of GDP, the fiscal rules are suspended and the Government of the day also has access to the NNDRF,” he added.
The Minister pointed out that currently, the fiscal rules are suspended and the Government must fend on its own.
“What we hope to have is a stabilisation mechanism, a counter-cyclical buffer to which the Government of the day can turn in the event of such natural or non-natural disaster,” Dr. Clarke said.
The Minister further explained that the Bill defines ‘disaster’ as any occurrence set out in Section 48c (2) of the Financial Administration and Audit Act. This includes public disasters, circumstances of severe economic crisis and periods of public emergency, among others.
“These are the circumstances that allow for the suspension of the fiscal rules, and this Bill is an important step in enhancing the fiscal buffers of the country. One of the central economic lessons from our history is that we have to always be creating, maintaining, and improving and increasing fiscal buffers that allow us to endure and recover from economic shocks,” Dr. Clarke said.
Contact: Latonya Linton
Release : JIS
ROSEAU, June 21, 2024: The new United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Simon Springett, is currently in the Commonwealth of Dominica to present his credentials ahead of key meetings with Government and national officials.
Today, Mr. Springett formally presented his credentials and met with Prime Minister the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, ahead of courtesy calls with Dominica’s President H. E. Sylvanie Burton, and several other senior Government Ministers.
Prime Minster Skerrit who expressed gratitude for the collective support received from the UN Development System to date, pledged to continue working to strengthen their partnership in coming years, noting that he was also “looking forward to establishing the UN Common Premises”, which is expected to expand UN cooperation and joint support in Dominica.
Meanwhile, the new UN Head also gave assurances of continued UN partnership and expansion of support to cover existing gaps. He added: “I am honoured to be here in Dominica, the beautiful Nature Isle, and to pledge my commitment, along with the UN Team, to supporting the Government in building resilience, and further advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.”
During his visit, Mr. Springett also met with the Minister for the Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and
Constituency Empowerment, the Hon. Cozier Frederick, and visited the Kalinago Territory, where he benefitted from a brief historical tour of the Kalinago Barana Auté (Village by the Sea).
The Mission also included meetings with the Minister for Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security – Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre; Minister for National Security and Legal Affairs – Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore; National Disaster Coordinator, Office of Disaster Management – Mr. Fitzroy Pascal; Commissioner of Police – Mr. Davidson Valerie and the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) Focal Point, Dr. Adis King, among other officials, and with UN staff in Dominica.
On June 1, Mr. Springett was appointed by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, with the approval of the host Governments. A national of the United States, he brings his distinguished 25-year career in international development to this critical role, having most recently served as the UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova since 2019, leading the UN’s efforts in that country.
As the highest-ranking official of the UN development system in the Eastern Caribbean, Mr. Springett will lead the UN Sub-regional Team (UNST) across 10 countries and territories. He will champion the UN’s mandates and advocate for the delivery of the MSDCF in close collaboration with national governments and regional institutions. A key focus will be strengthening cooperation and effectiveness of UN operational activities throughout the region.
In the coming weeks, the new Resident Coordinator is expected to present his credentials to other Member States in his area of responsibility.
#Kingston, Jamaica, June 24, 2024 – Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, Bertrand Smith has reiterated Jamaica’s commitment to fostering a resilient ocean ecosystem for future generations.
Speaking at a recent World Oceans Day ceremony hosted by Earth Ambassadeurs at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Mr. Smith outlined Jamaica’s proactive measures in marine conservation, including the implementation of a global initiative supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to combat marine litter from transport and fisheries sectors.
The Director General also noted the country’s compliance with the 2023 IMO Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Strategy.
“As an active member of the International Maritime Organization, Jamaica commits to global efforts aimed at decarbonizing shipping, with ambitious goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050,” he said.
Recognizing the urgent need for action, Mr. Smith highlighted the pivotal role of youth leadership in driving sustainable change.
“[World Ocean Day] not only celebrates our oceans but also empowers our youth, particularly our Earth Ambassadeurs and Junior Ambassadeurs who are leading the charge for environmental stewardship,” he said.
“I am proud of how youth leadership is helping to drive the transformative change needed for our blue planet. On local, national, and international levels, young people are engaging in action and policy change to create a better future. We applaud these young climate advocates,” the Director General added.
Mr. Smith also appealed to persons to “safeguard our oceans and environment for our children, our grandchildren, and the generations to come” while adding that what is done today and over the coming years, will be crucial for their future and their world.
Photo Caption: Bert Smith addresses Earth Ambassadeurs World Oceans Day Ceremony
Contact: Peta-Gaye Hodges
Release: JIS
#Kingston, June 24, 2024 – The upcoming Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, is attracting a record number of interests from potential exhibitors, according to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green.
“In terms of exhibits and people asking questions to be exhibitors, we are already at 20 per cent above the requests that we got last year. Denbigh is looking extremely good,” Mr. Green said.
He was speaking at the launch of the 70th staging of the event at the Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre, in White Marl, St. Catherine on June 21.
The Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show will be held from Sunday, August 4 to Tuesday, August 6, at the Denbigh Show Grounds in May Pen, Clarendon.
It is the largest agricultural exposition in the Caribbean, and has attracted over 100 exhibitors, offering a wide range of agricultural-related booths and seminars.
“Denbigh represents our progress in agriculture and has provided a platform to showcase agriculture excellence. The Denbigh Show is a place that you can learn about modern agriculture trends, and an environment that caters to our farmers, and provides entertainment to the entire family,” Minister Green said.
He also used the opportunity to laud the island’s farmers as they continue to ensure growth in the agriculture sector, despite the drought.
Mr. Green informed that local onion production is at an all-time high, while adding that the Government will continue to provide incentives for growth of the sector, and several other agricultural related industries.
The Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show has attracted over 80,000 patrons, and is a benchmark for showcasing agriculture and its related industries.
Contact: Garfield L. Angus
Release: JIS
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