“No Nation Too Small”: Holness Pushes for Inclusion, Peace, and a War on Gangs at UNGA
Prime Minister Andrew Holness addressed the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, marking 63 years since Jamaica joined the UN. In his wide-ranging speech, Holness reaffirmed Jamaica’s commitment to the principles of peace, equality, and cooperation, while stressing that the multilateral system must be reformed to become more democratic, inclusive, and effective in responding to today’s urgent challenges — from climate change and pandemics to conflict and poverty.
Climate Change and Financing Justice
Holness reminded world leaders that for small island states like Jamaica, climate change is not abstract but a daily reality. Despite taking strong domestic action, progress is constrained by limited and unfair access to financing. He urged developed countries to honour their commitments, scale up climate finance, and embrace fairer tools such as the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, which accounts for the vulnerabilities of small and developing nations.
Peace and Security
On global conflicts, Holness condemned the heinous October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, but also expressed deep horror at the devastating humanitarian consequences of the counteroffensive in Palestinian territories. He reiterated Jamaica’s support for UN Security Council Resolution 242, calling for peace through diplomacy and dialogue, and endorsing the demand for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and an end to the protracted war and human suffering.
UN Security Council Resolution 242 (1967) calls on Israel to withdraw from the territories it occupied in the siege on Palestine and for all countries in the region to recognize each other’s right to live in peace. it means Israel must return to the 1967 borders.
Turning to Haiti, Holness stressed that security operations alone cannot resolve the crisis. Instead, he pressed for a comprehensive approach combining diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and institution-building to restore stability and peace in the Caribbean nation.
Regional Inclusion and Global Threats
The Prime Minister also called for an end to Cuba’s isolation, urging that the country be allowed to fully participate in the global economy and benefit from policies that enable integration and progress rather than exclusion.
Holness also issued a stern warning about the rise of gangs and transnational criminal networks, declaring that they have grown into global threats that require “nothing less than a global war on gangs.”
A Vision for the Future
Closing his remarks, Holness emphasized Jamaica’s belief in a world where no nation is too small to be heard, where the vulnerable are protected, and where international cooperation delivers real results for all.