The Most Honourable, Dr. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister, will deliver the Keynote Address on October 17, 2024, during the Opening Ceremony of the International Climate Change Conference being hosted by the University of Technology, Jamaica, through its Faculty of The Built Environment from October 17 – 18, 2024 at the Papine Campus.
The two-day international conference, themed “Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Climate Departure: Managing the Crisis,” will spotlight issues related to tackling the urgent challenges posed by climate change, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The conference will highlight the pressing reality that as the climate departure curve continues its ascendancy, the entire globe faces severe threats. SIDS, known for their limited resilience, must confront the fact that all forms of life – human, plant, and animal, will not be spared from the impacts of climate departure. Civil structures are being tested and will continue to be challenged by the ever-increasing forces of this natural phenomenon.
Within this context, the conference will draw on global, regional, and local expertise in the field of climate change, exploring solutions through sub-themes such as: Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies; Ecosystem Resilience and Conservation; Urban Resilience and Infrastructure Development; and Climate Cooperation, Education, Finance, Policy, Social Equity, and Poverty Alleviation.
Among the cadre of expert presenters over the two-day conference are plenary speakers Leonard Franics, JP, Chief Executive Officer for the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Una May Gordon, Senior Climate Change Expert and Resilience Advisor, Oliver Guyonvarch, Ambassador of France to Jamaica, Judith Slater, British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Prof Michael Taylor, Professor of Climate Science and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, UWI, Mona, Dr. Emily Wilkinson, Principal Research Fellow in ODI’s Global Risks and Resilience Programme and Director of the Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI), Dr. Theresa Rodriguez- Moodie, Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) and Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, Consultant in Energy and Environment.
Minister of Education and Youth, the Hon. Fayval Williams, MP will also address the opening ceremony of the International Climate Change Conference.
Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, notes that, “At UTech, Jamaica, we believe that through education, dialogue, and forging partnerships, we can develop actionable strategies that not only address these pressing issues but also empower our communities to thrive in the face of adversity, paving the way for a sustainable future.”
Chairman of the UTech, Jamaica International Climate Change Conference, Dr. Glendon Newsome, Associate Professor, Faculty of The Built Environment, states that “This conference is a crucial platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. By addressing the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States, we can identify innovative solutions that ensure a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities.”
Registration for the conference is now open. Interested participants may register online at:
https://www.utech.edu.jm/internationalclimateconference
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