Resilience at the forefront: finance minister urges public sector leaders to be innovative and strategic

Kingston, Jamaica: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Hon. Fayval Williams, MP, CFA, Minister of Finance and the Public Service (MOFPS), is urging permanent secretaries and heads of entities to be innovative and strategic as they lead in building a resilient and future-proof public service. She made the call during the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) Service Excellence Conference 2026 held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Held under the theme, ‘Building Resilient Public Services’, the high-level conference brought together permanent secretaries, heads of agencies, senior public officials, development partners and governance experts to examine strategies for strengthening continuity, responsiveness and reliability in public service delivery, particularly during periods of crisis and disruption.

While delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Prime Minister, Minister Williams charged public sector leaders to build an intentional public service that is not only efficient but adaptable and resilient.

“Today, I issue a clear charge to every leader in the public sector. Our country has come a long way, and we are now at a decisive stage in the evolution of our public sector. We are no longer simply building systems for efficiency. We are building systems that must perform under pressure, adapt in real time, and continue to serve our citizens regardless of circumstances. This requires a shift in how we lead”, emphasised Minister Williams.

Referencing the lessons emerging from Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, the Minister noted that while the event exposed vulnerabilities in sustaining operations during emergencies, it also highlighted the dedication and ingenuity of public servants across the Government system.

“We saw firefighters, first responders, healthcare workers and social workers continuing to serve, even as they managed their own personal circumstances. That level of commitment cannot be taken for granted. The Service Excellence Policy recognises that supporting employees is essential to sustaining service delivery…. Our staff must know we support them. They must also be prepared and equipped to maintain continuity and quality of service delivery”, highlighted Minister Williams.

Meanwhile, Ronald Jackson, Head of Disaster Risk Reduction, Recovery and Resilience at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Crisis Bureau, emphasised that this conference comes at a critical juncture as Jamaica recovers from Hurricane Melissa.

“The focus of this year’s conference is timely given Jamaica’s recovery efforts and the advent of the 2026 Hurricane Season. During these times, the public expects the government to be operating efficiently and robustly to meet their needs. To meet those expectations under stress and strain will require a public service that is resilient with strong infrastructure and systems”, noted Jackson.

The conference forms part of the Government’s broader public sector modernisation agenda and supports the implementation of the Service Excellence Policy introduced in 2022.  To date, thirty-three (33) ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are actively implementing the Service Excellence Programme.

Participants engaged in discussions on disaster preparedness, business continuity planning, digital transformation, institutional leadership, customer experience and psychosocial support systems for public sector employees. The conference also showcased examples of innovation and service improvement across Government, including expanded digital service platforms and strengthened citizen engagement initiatives.

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For further information contact:

Corporate Communication & Public Relations Branch

Ministry of Finance and the Public Service

30 National Heroes Circle

Kingston 4

Tel: (876) 932-4656/4660/4655

Email:  [email protected]; [email protected]

Contact: Shakiel Rochester Shorter/Suzell Wray