Minamata Initial Assessments in Jamaica
As International Technical Experts, BRI is assisting several small island developing states of the Caribbean, including Jamaica, as part of a regional Minamata Initial Assessment. The Basel Convention Regional Center for the Caribbean, based in Trinidad and Tobago, is implementing the regional MIA project and BRI is providing expertise to assist with the development of national mercury inventories for each participating country using UN Environment’s Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Mercury Releases. The results of this regional MIA will assist Jamaica with meeting requirements outlined by the Minamata Convention to reduce mercury in the environment and exposure of mercury to humans.
Formal Capacity: International Technical Expert
Project Lead: David Evers
Funding/Implementing Agency: GEF/UN Environment
Executing Agency: Basel Convention Regional Center for the Caribbean
The State of Mercury in Jamaica
Under the Minamata Convention, each Party is charged with protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. Jamaica ratified the Convention on July 19, 2017. In order to assist the country with the implementation of the Convention, the Government of Jamaica conducted a Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA).
Country Profile
- Population: 2.7 million (World Bank 2013)
- Surface Area: 10,990 sq km
- Capital City: Kingston
- Official Language: English
- Fish Production: 11,671 tons (FAO 2003)
- UN Membership Date: September 18, 1962
Inception Meeting and Mercury Inventory Training Workshop
Photo 1: Participants of the Minamata Initial Assessment Mercury Inventory Training Workshop, held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, October 10-13, 2016.
Photo 2: Representatives of Jamaica at the Mercury Inventory Training Workshop, held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, October 10-13, 2016.
Photo 3: BRI Executive Director, David Evers, presents at the Minamata Initial Assessment Validation Workshop, held in Jamaica, October 30, 2017.
Photo 4: Participants of the Minamata Initial Assessment Validation Workshop, held in Jamaica, October 30, 2017.
