Jamaica to host 2029 Our Oceans summit as Cabinet ministers outline water and tourism plans

KINGSTON — Ministers used the June 24 post-Cabinet press briefing to outline major developments in ocean governance, water infrastructure, and tourism strategy, while answering questions from journalists and student leaders.

Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda said Jamaica has been selected to host the 13th Our Oceans conference in Montego Bay in June 2029, with the final date still to be confirmed. The global summit on marine protection and the blue economy is expected to attract more than 5,000 delegates, at least a dozen heads of government, and roughly 50 ministerial delegations. Samuda said Montego Bay was chosen partly because the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was adopted there, reinforcing Jamaica's place in ocean governance. A planning secretariat will be set up over the coming year.

Samuda, who recently represented Jamaica at Our Oceans 11 in Mombasa, Kenya, said the country signed on to the Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism, the Ocean Acidification Alliance, the Action in Blue Regional Network, and the Mangrove Breakthrough. He also reported approval of a US$2.1 million Green Climate Fund grant, managed through CARICOM's 5Cs, to strengthen Jamaica's climate project pipeline.

The minister rejected Opposition claims that water capital works favour government constituencies. He cited Caribbean Development Bank-backed projects in Central and Southeast St. Mary, Mason Hall, Albert Town, southern Trelawny, northeast St. Elizabeth, eastern St. Thomas, and southeast St. Ann. He defended the $11 billion Western Resilience Project, which links systems from Martha Brae through Hanover to Westmoreland, and dismissed calls to merge the National Water Commission, National Irrigation Commission, Rural Water Supply Limited, and Water Resources Authority, arguing that regulators cannot be folded into utilities.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett outlined Tourism 3.0, targeting 10 million visitors and US$10 billion in earnings over 10 years. He said Jamaica recorded US$4.7 billion in tourism earnings and 4.3 million visitor arrivals over the past five years despite COVID-19, Hurricane Beryl, and Hurricane Melissa. Bartlett highlighted plans for 20,000 new hotel rooms, a worker pension scheme with more than 10,500 members and nearly $6 billion in savings, and housing programmes at Grange Pen and Barrett Hall. Workers earning at least 30% of their income from tourism may qualify for housing. He said cruise arrivals are projected at 1.5 million this year and noted the United States has placed Jamaica at Level 2 in its latest travel advisory following crime reductions.

Education Minister Dana Morrison Dixon said more than 400 schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa remain under repair, with new resilience standards applied to rebuilt facilities. She welcomed strong PEP results, including seven boys among the top 10 performers, while reaffirming plans for a committee focused on boys' education. Parents with placement concerns were urged to review student reports, speak with teachers, and contact regional education offices for guidance.