Jamaica presses for ocean financing and blue economy support at Japan summit

Jamaica is pushing for deeper international assistance to help Small Island Developing States improve ocean management and build out the blue economy, with the Government pointing to financing, technology transfer and specialist support as urgent needs.

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda made the appeal on Wednesday while addressing the Island States Ocean Summit in Japan. He told the gathering that Jamaica's long-term prospects are closely linked to how well the country protects and sustainably uses its marine and coastal assets.

"Jamaica calls for increased financing, technology transfer, capacity building, and technical support to assist SIDS in strengthening ocean governance and promoting the sustainable development of the blue economy," Samuda said. "Through stronger partnerships and collective action, we can safeguard our ocean resources while building resilient and sustainable economies."

Samuda said Jamaica has been moving ahead with steps to sharpen ocean governance while encouraging sustainable growth in industries connected to the sea.

He told delegates that blue economy-related sectors, among them tourism, are estimated to account for 20 per cent of Jamaica's gross domestic product and provide employment for more than 500,000 people, or roughly 37 per cent of the national workforce.

Among the actions he cited was Jamaica's 2025 ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, widely referred to as the BBNJ Agreement.

The minister also pointed to plans to bring back the National Council on Ocean and Coastal Zone Management. A Blue Economy Working Group is expected to support that council and improve coordination among marine-linked sectors.

Samuda said the Government has completed the Overarching Policy for Jamaica's Protected Areas System and has pushed forward work on a Cays Management Policy intended to aid biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

He said the country has also widened its marine protection programme by declaring more fish sanctuaries and protected areas.

"To date, Jamaica has declared 15.47 per cent of our archipelagic waters as protected areas," he said.

Samuda said the next major policy steps include preparing a Sustainable Ocean Plan in 2027 and a Blue Economy Strategy in 2028.

At the same time, he cautioned that climate change and rising seas remain major dangers for Jamaican coastal communities.

"For Jamaica, where more than 80 per cent of the population resides along the coastline or within five kilometres of the coast, the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise pose significant risks to communities, infrastructure, livelihoods and ecosystems," he said.

Samuda also referenced Hurricane Melissa in 2025, saying the storm left damage estimated at US$12.2 billion, or J$1.9 trillion. He said that figure was equal to about 56.7 per cent of Jamaica's 2024 GDP.

In response, he said, the Government has set up the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority to improve Jamaica's ability to recover from severe weather and prepare for future extreme events.

The minister further called for more investment in blue carbon markets, saying access to global carbon markets could help island states raise financing while also supporting worldwide efforts to cut emissions.