The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and The University of the West Indies will host a Caribbean Outreach event by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world body that assesses the science related to climate change, on November 29-December 1, 2016.

The Caribbean Development Bank, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, the Inter-American Development Bank and Panos Caribbean are also partnering with the Ministry and The UWI to host the event.

This regional outreach event aims, among other things, to raise awareness, especially among policymakers and the scientific community from the region, about the IPCC, its role and activities.  The event will also demonstrate how climate change is affecting the region and highlight solutions to the challenges.

The IPCC’s planned outreach activities include:

• A two-day workshop for policymakers, practitioners, scientists, civil society representatives and media from across the Caribbean at the Regional Headquarters of The University of the West Indies on November 30 and December 1
• A session for business leaders on November 30
• A workshop for regional journalists at The University of the West Indies on November 29
• A meeting with the Permanent Secretaries’ Board to provide information on the IPCC’s most recent and upcoming assessment reports
• A special meeting with high school students involved in the Youth Environmental Advocacy Programme (YEAP) 

The activities at the Regional Headquarters will be live streamed at http://live.mona.uwi.edu/ and event details may be found at http://ipcc.ch/apps/outreach/eventinfo.php?q=369.

While in Jamaica, the IPCC will provide information on its work to a Caribbean audience and will share the findings of its Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) and updates on the Sixth Assessment Report process.  The IPCC’s assessment reports are publications on the full scientific and technical assessment of climate change.

These assessments of climate change draw on the work of hundreds of scientists from all over the world, and help policy makers at all levels of government make sound, evidence-based decisions.

“We are honoured that the IPCC accepted the invitation of the government to conduct this outreach to the region, here in Jamaica.  The government commends this fine example of a working partnership that has facilitated this gathering of minds from across the region to consider the scientific case for climate action to save the islands of our Caribbean home.   We anticipate vibrant exchanges of information as we learn from the most recent Assessment Report of the IPCC and share our own experiences from the region,” stated Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Colonel Oral Khan

According to Principal of The UWI, Mona Campus, Professor Archibald McDonald,  “The UWI is pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and the other partners to host this international forum.  The meeting signals the importance of research, climate information and science based interventions to development, planning and the livelihoods of the Caribbean.  The UWI stands committed to any partnerships that will ultimately better the lives of all across the region.  We welcome the IPCC and look forward to the new opportunities and synergies that will emerge over the course of the meeting.”

The IPCC outreach event is timely, coming on the heels of the recently concluded 22nd Conference of Parties (COP 22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Marrakesh Morocco.

At the Conference, Jamaica gave the assurance that it remains fully committed, along with its CARICOM brothers and sisters, to seek international agreement to halt, and even reverse the adverse effects of Climate Change.  Jamaica’s statement also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the ratification of the Paris Agreement and noted that it is working assiduously to build resilience through a rigorous national adaptation process. However, the statement noted that the country’s continued progress can only be realized through the strengthened global partnerships.

The Paris Agreement has entered into force, having already been ratified by 55 countries who between them are responsible for at least 55 percent of global emissions.   Several CARICOM states have ratified the Agreement and Jamaica is also moving towards ratification shortly.

The Government of Jamaica welcomes the visit of the IPCC to the country and to the region, and looks forward to working with all partners and stakeholders as we continue our collective efforts in addressing climate change.

Contact:  Heather Campbell at 564-5938 for any further information.