KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, has called for increased financing, technology transfer, capacity building, and technical support to assist small island developing states (SIDS) in strengthening ocean governance and promoting the sustainable development of the blue economy.

Speaking at the Island States Ocean Summit, being held from June 3 to 4, Samuda said Jamaica’s future is closely tied to the health and sustainability of its marine and coastal ecosystems.

He noted that blue economy sectors play a major role in national development, with industries such as tourism contributing an estimated 20 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product and supporting more than 500,000 jobs, representing approximately 37 per cent of the labour force.