Ja to host Sustainable Development Goals conference
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC): MORE THAN 200 delegates, including high-level ministers and technical experts from 18 Caribbean countries, meet here later this month to advance and accelerate regional action for eliminating extreme poverty, reducing inequality, and protecting the planet.
The June 28-30 meeting on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is being hosted by the Jamaican Government in partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the United Nations, which is funding the event.
The 17 SDGs, commonly known around the globe as Agenda 2030, will form the main agenda items at the Caribbean Action 2030: Regional Conference on the Sustainable Development Goals, where the delegates will seek to advance regional action in the areas of resources mobilisation, civil society participation, strong evidence base for policy and capacity building.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, UWI Vice-Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles and UNDP regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jessica Faieta, will attend the opening ceremony on June 28.
The organisers said that government ministers from the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean will deliberate in plenary, panel discussions and solutions workshops, and will be joined by delegates from civil society, academia, youth and non-governmental organisations.
They said more than 30 local, regional and international academics and experts in their field will present papers highlighting research, national experiences and opportunities in SDG action in the region.
American Professor Raymond Saner, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Northwestern Switzerland, will speak on ‘Financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Private-Public Partnerships’ at a private-sector working lunch.
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, worldrenowned professor of economics, leader in sustainable development, senior UN adviser, best-selling author and syndicated columnist, is to lead a distinguished lecture on the evening of the 28th.