KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has stressed that global partnerships will be essential to the recovery of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) from external shocks, such as Hurricane Melissa, which devastated Jamaica.
He made the statement at the G20 summit underway in South Africa.
The summit brings together leaders from the world’s largest economies to address pressing global challenges and foster economic cooperation.
Holness delivered remarks during session one of the high-level dialogue on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, held under the theme “Leaving no one Behind: Building our Economies, the Role of Trade, Financing for Development and the Debt Burden.”
The Prime Minister noted that Jamaica’s economy had been transformed after decades of instability, but Hurricane Melissa will negatively affect the island’s debt trajectory.
He called on the G20 to advance a more equitable, rules-based global trading framework that enhances predictability for small economies.
Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed condolences to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean community following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Approximately 88 people were killed by the storm in the Caribbean. Reports suggest that Haiti recorded 43 casualties, and Jamaica recorded at least 45 deaths.
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