News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says it is time for transformative action within Jamaica after 56 years of Independence. Speaking at the opening of Houses of Parliament Design Exhibition at the Jamaica Conference Centre (JCC) yesterday (October 10), Prime Minister Holness underscored the need for an improvement in Jamaica’s infrastructure, buildings and public spaces. “If it is that we are looking to have order in society, order in public affairs, public order in public spaces then let’s start with ordering how we have our buildings looking and feeling. After 56 years, I think it is time that we reinvent ourselves. The rest of the world is moving ahead, and we are living on past glory,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister pointed out that in order for transformation to take place, each citizen must develop a sense of appreciation for change. Highlighting the need for a new purpose-built Parliamentary building; Prime Minister Holness explained that the ongoing design competition was a creative methodology to help determine how the Houses of Parliament building will represent Jamaica’s rich heritage. “The look, role and function of the Parliament building will provide a beacon of leadership that we think is prudent to encourage, nationalism…

Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has, together with the President of France Emmanuel Macron, been asked by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, to lead a political initiative to mobilise Climate Financing to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The invitation to mobilize Government and private sector to build a political consensus and increase momentum to raise $100 billion per year in climate finance by 2020 was outlined in a letter to Prime Minister Holness, in which Secretary-General Guterres noted the leadership of Jamaica on the issue of climate finance. The UN Secretary General said the funds are needed to address the mitigation and adaptation needs of developing countries and reminded that within the context of Paris Agreement, developed countries reaffirmed the pledge made at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in 2009 to mobilise $100 billion per year by 2020, from a combination of public and private sources. At a High-Level Meeting of twenty Heads of Government yesterday formalising the engagement, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in his remarks, said the efforts of all who participate in the process of building awareness and resilience is very important to ensure that the…

Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chairman of CARICOM, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has called on Heads of Government in the Caribbean region to remain steadfast and committed to the fight against Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The Prime Minister says the region must renew its commitment, which was made more than ten years ago, to tackle NCDs. “Recognizing that NCDs remain a major challenge to the health of our populations, we have again elevated this to the UN development agenda for prioritization of efforts to reduce risk factors”, stated Prime Minister Holness. Prime Minister Holness was speaking in New York at the 3rd UN High-level Meeting on NCDs today (September 27), where CARICOM launched the “Step it up” initiative. Jamaica is set to lead the CARICOM region in the fight against NCD’s. This initiative is an adaptation from the ‘Jamaica Moves’ initiative. Prime Minister Holness reported at the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in July of this year, six (6) priorities which were endorsed by the Heads of Government. The priorities are: Establishing and maintaining a smoke-free status for the Region; Implementing policies geared to preventing Childhood Obesity, including for health-promoting…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has told world leaders that while Small Island Developing States (SIDS) continue to strengthen partnerships around the world, economic independence will ultimately secure resilience for all SIDS. Addressing the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City today (September 27), Prime Minister Holness noted Jamaica and other SIDS continue to work to resolve its economic issues and seek greater opportunities regardless of size and development. The Prime Minister noted that the Jamaican Government has made several strides to help build resilience. “We cannot wait on the world to save us, and we recognize that the world will not wait for us.  Notwithstanding that we are a Small Island Developing state with numerous challenges - we are taking our destiny into our own hands.  Ultimately, we believe our economic independence will secure our resilience,” stated Prime Minister Holness. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness explained that fora such as G7, BRICS and G20 provide a unique opportunity to solve some of the many issues plaguing SIDS and other countries. He said Jamaica welcomes the possibility to share perspectives. “Jamaica stands ready to continue working on how we can transform global thinking, and together…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has called for the lifting of embargoes against the Republic of Cuba. Prime Minister Holness used the international platform at the United Nations General Assembly in New York today (September 27) to call for the removal of sanctions against Cuba. As the Prime Minister delivered his statement to world leaders, he noted that societies function best within an inclusive global environment, where no one feels left behind. “Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must be people-centred. Embargoes and other financial and economic barriers must not become tools to prevent people, such as our neighbours, the citizens the Republic of Cuba, from attaining their right to development.  Jamaica continues to call for a lifting of the embargoes against that country,” said Prime Minister Holness. In his address, the Prime Minister also noted that it is important for the UN to support the efforts of the Secretary-General and his special envoy in pursuing political processes related to situations in Western Sahara, Syria and Myanmar. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness said each nation should be mindful of others who consistently face discrimination as the world prepares to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness last night (Tuesday, September 25) engaged Jamaicans living in New York City in the United States of America. Prime Minister Holness is in New York to attend and participate in the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Prime Minister used the opportunity to meet with the Diaspora in keeping with his mission to update Jamaicans overseas and discuss matters involving Jamaica. He reassured those present that the strategies in place to deal with the issue of crime are bearing fruit. “I want to assure you that the government has put in place several crime-fighting strategies but more than that we have put in place several national security strategies that are all working to improve the safety and security of Jamaicans. It is not something that is going to change overnight; it will not change by the snap of a finger or the flip of a switch. It will take some time to return Jamaica to the point where our murder rate was below 500 murders per year,” explained Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister further explained that the State of Public Emergency in sections of Jamaica is not a “panic” reaction but…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Health Minister Dr Hon. Christopher Tufton are expected to launch Caribbean Moves at the 73rd Session of the United General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, United States. Minister Tufton is also part of the Government’s delegation to UNGA. His mission is to champion Jamaica’s response to NCDs through Jamaica Moves. Prime Minister Holness will chair the High-Level Breakfast event and give the opening address, at the CARICOM High-Level Breakfast Event signalling the launch of Caribbean Moves; an initiative to raise awareness to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and ways to combat the diseases. Dr Tufton will also speak at the function which is a major move toward getting persons to be active and improve their lifestyles toward healthier habits. In that regard, Minister Tufton will also engage the private and public sectors through a series of meetings beginning today (Monday, September 24). The Third High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is a major presentation as Jamaica and other nations across the world devise strategies to combat NCDs

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling for the unification of leaders across the world for peace. Addressing the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit in the precincts of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States of America (USA) today (Monday, September 24), Prime Minister Holness underscored the importance of Nelson Mandela’s role in promoting peace. “The centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth provides space for us as world leaders to affirm the need for healthy and meaningful dialogue to engender peace, reconciliation and communal accord.  These I believe are principles that Mandela would very much wish us to promote on this occasion,” explained Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister noted that the Peace Summit comes at a time of heightened global concern about hostility and conflict in some regions. Against this background, Prime Minister Holness said leaders are required to make significant sacrifices for peace. “Like Mandela, we too must commit to the consolidation of peaceful coalitions. What better occasion than this Summit, to do just that. Let that be our legacy in his honour,” said Prime Minister Holness. He added that Nelson Mandela understood the need for great sacrifices in order to achieve goals, referencing Mandela’s long journey to…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the declaration of a State of Public Emergency within specific boundaries encompassing parts of the Kingston Central, Kingston Western and St. Andrew South Police Divisions, effective today (September 23). The areas affected are: Central Downtown (Market & Business Districts) Denham Town Greenwich town Hannah Town Jones Town Tivoli Gardens Trench Town (Rose town and Arnett Gardens) Whitefield Town Prime Minister Holness made the announcement this morning (September 23) during a press briefing at Jamaica House. The Prime Minister said: “The Government considers it necessary to use the extraordinary powers provided for within the state of public emergency to address long-standing and entrenched crime and public order issues which have threatened lives, curtailed business, undermined the rule of law and; have deprived citizens of their general right to live peacefully and enjoy a good quality of life”. The State of Public Emergency, which took effect at midnight, will last initially for fourteen (14) days.