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JAM | Jan 23, 2025

Professor Dale Webber appointed Jamaica’s first special envoy for Climate Change, Environment and Blue Economy

/ Our Today

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Professor Dale Webber

Jamaica has appointed Professor Dale Webber as its first special envoy for Climate Change, Environment, Ocean, and Blue Economy.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), Matthew Samuda, who made the disclosure in parliament on Tuesday disclosed that Professor Webber will hold the title of Ambassador while serving in this role.

A former principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona campus Professor Webber has an exemplary career as a marine biologist, conservationist, and climate change advocate. “His academic specialisation in Coastal and Environmental Management, coupled with his distinguished contributions to academia and public service, makes him exceptionally qualified for this post,” Minister Samuda remarked.

 In his role, Professor Webber will report directly to Prime Minister, Dr Andrew Holness, while also collaborating closely with the MEGJC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to represent Jamaica’s interests on the global stage.

Outlining the need for the role, Minister Samuda said it is based on the significant demands being placed on all nations in the multilateral arena to participate in fora that focus on climate change, environment, and ocean agreements, as well as evaluating the implementation of existing agreements, treaties, and numerous technical negotiations.

Minister Samuda cited the increasing demand for high-level participation in political negotiations and technical meetings, which means that Jamaica must increase its capacity to contribute significantly to maintain its powerful voice in these spaces.

According to Samuda, “These negotiations are far from mere talk shops. The agreements reached have had and will continue to have a profound, far-reaching impact on Jamaica. For these reasons, the Government is committed to increasing the capacity of the Environment and Risk Management Branch significantly and enhancing the Climate Change Division, all while providing the necessary support to agencies such as the Water Resources Authority.”

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