Prime Minister Holness Urges Global Partnership at UNGA80 to Tackle Climate, Debt, Poverty, Conflicts and Crime
Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness calls on the international community to join forces in addressing the most pressing challenges facing Small Island Developing States.
Speaking on Friday (September 26, 2025) at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, the Prime Minister underscored that climate change, debt, poverty, conflicts and crime are interlinked issues that demand collective action.
Dr. Holness stated: “Let us revitalize multilateralism and recommit to building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable world. The challenges before us; climate change, debt, poverty, conflicts, and crime are formidable, but our capacity for collective action is greater. Jamaica has shown that with sound policies, fiscal discipline, and good governance, small nations can achieve great progress. But to build on this progress, we need an international system that is fair, inclusive, and responsive.”
The Prime Minister highlighted Jamaica’s achievements in crime reduction, noting the more than 50 percent decline in homicides in recent years. At the same time, the Prime Minister emphasized that these gains remain fragile unless transnational criminal networks are dismantled.
“This is why we call for nothing less than a global war on gangs, a coordinated international campaign to cut off the flow of weapons, money, and the influence that sustains them. This requires deeper engagement from all member states. We urge full implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the International Tracing Instrument,” said Prime Minister Holness.
The Prime Minister also urged developed nations to meet financial commitments to vulnerable states, noting that while Jamaica has reduced its debt to GDP ratio from 144 percent to 62 percent, outdated global financing metrics continue to prevent access to concessional financing.
In this regard, Jamaica supports debt for climate and debt for nature swaps, as well as the multi-dimensional vulnerability index, to ensure a fairer system for countries facing severe external shocks.
In closing, the Prime Minister called for commitments that deliver real change as Jamaica stands ready to work with all member states in partnership and solidarity to create a future defined by peace, prosperity, and dignity for all.