Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, has announced that a Planning Secretariat is to be established over the next year, to prepare the nation for the hosting of the 13th Our Ocean Conference.

The Conference, which is one of the largest global events concerned with ocean protection and the blue economy, is set to be held in Montego Bay, St. James, in 2029.

“Jamaica has been selected to host the Our Ocean Conference, the 13th edition, in Montego Bay in 2029. We are likely to host it in June, final date to be announced,” Mr. Samuda said, during Wednesday’s (June 24) Post-Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House.

He noted that Jamaica expects to welcome more than 5,000 delegates, no less than 12 world leaders and approximately 50 ministerial delegations for the event.

“This is a major event that establishes Jamaica’s thought leadership on the issue of marine protection and the issue of developing a sustainable blue economy. It validates a lot of the work that Jamaica has been doing in tourism, in fisheries, in shipping and logistics, and of course, our work in environmental protection,” the Minister affirmed.

He explained that Montego Bay was chosen for the site of the conference because it possessed sufficient room stock, houses the Convention Centre and is historically linked to the Conference.

“The UN (United Nations) Law of the Sea was accepted and came into being in Montego Bay. So, Montego Bay, Jamaica has always been the centre of ocean governance, and we re-establish it as such in 2029,” Mr. Samuda said.

He committed to keeping the nation up to date as his Ministry moves forward with the planning of the significant global event.

Mr. Samuda recently represented Jamaica at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, from June 16 to 18.