News Releases

Media Advisory | UWI officials represent at multiple sessions during UN High-Level Political Forum

For Release Upon Receipt - July 8, 2021

St. Augustine


Members of the regional media are advised that The University of the West Indies (The UWI), will play a major role at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development scheduled for July 6–15, 2021. 

The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) is the main United Nations platform on sustainable development and it has a central function in the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As world leaders, policy makers and academics around the world meet virtually at the HLPF this week, The UWI will be centre stage in the discussions playing a leading role representing the region as activist and SDG-engaged university. A complete schedule of The UWI’s engagements follows:   

 

TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2021  

8:30 am – 10:15 am Eastern Caribbean/ EDT | 7:30 am – 9:15 am Jamaica 

The SDG Learning, Training and Practice Special Event 

Dr David Smith, Director of the Centre for Environmental Management and Coordinator of the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) represented the University at the 2021 SDGs Learning, Training and Practice event giving an overview. A recorded broadcast of the session is available here.  

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Eastern Caribbean/EDT | 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm Jamaica 

HLPF Side Event: Partnering to Educate the Ocean Science Leaders of the Future 

During this session, Dr Stacy Richards-Kennedy, Director of the Office of Global Partnerships and Sustainable Futures discusses the regional university’s work to advance ocean science research, education and advocacy in the Caribbean, challenges and opportunities that exist for Caribbean (Small Island Developing States) SIDS and share examples of how The UWI has been engaging in global partnerships to advance ocean science. 

 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021 

1:00 PM Eastern Caribbean/ EDT | 12:00 noon Jamaica 

Unleashing the Potential of the Blue Economy 

Dr Stacy Richards-Kennedy is also expected to present at a session entitled “Unleashing the Potential of the Blue Economy”. This side event will provide an opportunity for reflections and recommendations in helping countries tap into the full potential of the Blue Economy to diversify their economies. It is aimed at policy-makers and public sector professionals across the Caribbean as well as development practitioners.

 

FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021 

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM Eastern Caribbean/ EDT | 6:30 AM - 8:00 AM Jamaica 

Member State Briefing and Stakeholder Engagement in the Global Sustainable Development Report, 2023 

Professor John Agard, Director, St. Augustine Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Professor of Tropical Island Ecology at The UWI, St Augustine Campus will be speaking at this session in his capacity as  

Co-chair of the Global Sustainable Development Report team. 

 

The Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) is a United Nations publication aimed to strengthen the science-policy interface at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Led by an independent group of scientists appointed by the Secretary-General, the GSDR is meant to be an ‘assessment of assessments’ and so it is supported by contributions from a wide range of experts and stakeholders, bringing together diverse perspectives and disciplinary backgrounds. An implementation-oriented, global report it also brings together knowledge from different regions, countries, and local communities, as well as across a range of disciplines. Register to attend via: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=2zWeD09UYE-9zF6kFubccEYjQ422uVVLjyNkmUkSAWZUMEVZUFBVTUdFUFdXOE8xQzIwNEJYRlVZTy4u.  

 

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About The UWI 

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region.  

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.  

The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world. 

Ranked among the top universities in the world, by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education, The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists. In 2020, it earned ‘Triple 1st’ rankings—topping the Caribbean; and in the top in the tables for Latin America and the Caribbean, and global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the top universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.  

For more, visit www.uwi.edu. 

 

(Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)  

 

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