We have to be good to our oceans so that they can be good to us – Minister Samuda

Minister of Water,  Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda has made an impact on his portfolio and brought to the forefront the issue of climate change.

He is presently in Kenya  attending the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya where it was officially announced that Jamaica will host the prestigious conference in Montego Bay in 2029.

Minister Samuda par took in high level environmental diplomacy. He is also President of the N Environment Assembly.

It seem fitting that one of the most promising members of the Cabinet was off the island while drama unfolded in Parliament that calls into question the character and practices of certain Government members.

Matthew Samuda is a good public official and his star will rise in Jamaican politics.

Below is his address in Kenya: 

The President Hon William Ruto, Distinguished Heads of Delegation, Excellencies, representatives of governments, international organizations, academia, civil society, indigenous and coastal communities, members of the private sector, ladies and gentlemen:

Allow me to thank the Government and People of Kenya, for their hospitality and their Ocean Leadership. On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, it is with profound gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept the honour of hosting the 2029 Our Ocean Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

This is more than the acceptance of an event. It is the acceptance of a responsibility to the world’s oceans, to future generations, and to the billions of people whose lives, livelihoods, food security, culture, and prosperity depend on a healthy marine environment. For Jamaica, this moment carries special significance. Montego Bay is not simply a beautiful coastal city. It is a place etched into the history of global ocean governance. It was here that the negotiations culminating in the landmark United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea found their enduring legacy, giving the world the legal framework that continues to govern the use and protection of our oceans today. To welcome the global ocean community back to Montego Bay is therefore both symbolic and purposeful.

As a Small Island Developing State, Jamaica understands better than most that our future is inseparable from the future of the ocean. Our Exclusive Economic Zone is approximately twenty-four times larger than our landmass. We do not simply live beside the sea; we are defined by it. It is our highway, our pantry, our climate regulator, our source of livelihoods, and a cornerstone of our national identity. Yet we gather at a time when the ocean faces unprecedented pressures.

Climate change is warming and acidifying our seas. Biodiversity loss threatens the ecosystems upon which communities depend. Marine pollution continues to degrade coastal environments. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing undermines sustainability. And the vulnerability of coastal populations grows with every passing year. The Our Ocean Conference was created to transform concern into action. Since its inception, it has mobilized thousands of commitments and billions of dollars toward ocean protection and sustainable development. It has demonstrated that when governments, businesses, scientists, and communities work together, meaningful progress is possible. In 2029, Jamaica intends to build on that legacy. We will convene a conference focused not merely on promises, but on implementation. Not merely on ambition, but on delivery.

Excellencies, The world does not need another conference. The world needs outcomes. It needs measurable commitments, stronger partnerships, greater financing, and accelerated implementation. Jamaica accepts this responsibility with clear eyes and great determination. As we are all aware, 2029 is the penultimate year for assessment of the implementation of Agenda 2030 and its SDGs, including SDG 14 (Life below water) and the UN Ocean Decade. My analogy of a race is not intended to be taken lightly, as the global community is indeed in a sprint to the finish to ‘right side’ those targets under SDG14 which are severely off track.  In 2029, we look forward to welcoming the world to Montego Bay—where history helped shape the law of the sea, and where together we will help shape the future of the ocean. On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, I thank you for your confidence, your partnership, and your commitment to our shared ocean. We look forward to welcoming you to Jamaica. One ocean. One future. One shared responsibility.