Government of Jamaica Welcomes Election of Minister Samuda as President of the United Nations Environment Assembly
The Government of Jamaica welcomes the election of the Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Matthew Samuda, as the new President of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The announcement of his election was made on Friday (December 12) in Nairobi, Kenya, during the Seventh Session of the Assembly (UNEA-7).
Minister Samuda, who is currently leading Jamaica’s delegation to UNEA-7, was endorsed by the Latin America and Caribbean region and will preside over the Eighth Session (UNEA-8). The Minister’s assumption of this leadership role positions Jamaica and the wider region at the forefront of global environmental governance at a time when coordinated action is urgently required.
The UNEA, comprising all 193 Member States of the United Nations, is the world’s premier forum for setting the global environmental agenda. The presidency carries a strategic mandate to guide policy deliberations, build consensus among diverse Member States, and influence the direction of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) as it responds to escalating environmental challenges.
In his acceptance remarks, Minister Samuda underscored the magnitude of the work ahead and the need for collaborative, practical solutions.
“Environmental stewardship is no longer an isolated agenda item; it is the defining challenge of our century. The decisions we make within the assembly will continue to shape economies, societies and the lives of generations yet unborn,” he said.
Furthermore, the Minister emphasized that the election reflects the collective commitment of the Latin America and Caribbean region and the urgency of the issues facing vulnerable states.
“Our voices carry the weight of communities on the frontlines of climate impacts. These are communities that cannot afford delay and do not have the luxury of indifference,” the Minister said.
As President of UNEA-8, Minister Samuda will lead efforts to strengthen the science-policy interface, scale up financing for climate adaptation and resilience, and advance the transition toward sustainable production and consumption systems. The Minister’s stated commitment is to ensure that no country, particularly small and climate-exposed nations, is excluded from solutions essential to global sustainability.
Minister Samuda’s appointment is a significant demonstration of confidence in Jamaica’s leadership on environmental and climate issues. The Government of Jamaica stands ready to support the Minister’s work as he advances an agenda that aligns with Jamaica’s national priorities and the broader interests of the Latin America and Caribbean region.