Crown Prince of Norway to visit Jamaica as part of climate resilience mission

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is to make a three-day visit to Jamaica next month as part of a mission to promote climate resilience.

His visit, which will be from November 18-20, is in his capacity as global Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The UNDP says since embarking on this role in 2003, the Crown Prince has been dedicated to promoting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1, which aims to eradicate poverty, and Goal 14, focused on the conservation of life below water.

It notes that Jamaica's marine and coastal communities are facing growing levels of vulnerability, owing to climate change and other drivers of change, threatening both the resilience of ecosystems and nature-based livelihoods on which communities rely including tourism and fisheries.

It says the Crown Prince Haakon will gain firsthand insight into how Jamaica, with support from Norway and UNDP, is working to strengthen its ocean economy and improve resilience in vulnerable communities.

While in Jamaica, he will meet with local authorities, youth, and representatives from various communities to discuss challenges and solutions related to oceans, climate change, and poverty.

This includes efforts to address illegal fishing through UNDP's Blue Resilience Programme, which aims to enhance the management of marine resources and safeguard against transnational crime in the fisheries sector.

He will visit the coastal community of Rocky Point to learn more about how the Norwegian-supported Blue Resilience Programme is helping secure the future of fishing communities.

Additionally, the Crown Prince will visit Mount Airy, where water collection systems have been rehabilitated as part of UNDP's work to enhance climate adaptation and human security.

He will also participate in a dialogue with youth leaders at The University of the West Indies, discussing how young people can contribute to nature-based solutions, climate action and the fight against poverty in their communities.

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