Local Government Minister Dean Peart. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

The Government on Monday renewed an agreement with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), for the UN body to continue to host the Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) in Kingston.

Dean Peart, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, who signed the agreement at the ministry's Half-Way Tree Road offices, underscored the importance of having the UNEP's offices in Jamaica.

"This headquarters is the headquarters for the Caribbean and we are proud to offer the facility to UNEP," he said.

Nelson Andrade Colmenares, coordinator of the unit who signed the agreement on behalf of UNEP, said he was pleased that Jamaica has agreed to renew the agreement for another five years.

"You have the mandate and you have the leadership in the Caribbean to host for the wider Caribbean region," he said. "We are here mainly to protect the Caribbean Sea."

Five years rent-free

Under the agreement, Jamaica will provide the offices to UNEP for five years rent free. UNEP will maintain the building and pay utility bills.

UNEP's RCU was opened in Kingston in 1985 under the terms of a bilateral agreement. Since then, there have been supplementary agreements of similar terms but the last one expired in 1998.

UNEP is the voice for the environment in the United Nations system. It is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator, promoting the wise use of the planet's natural assets for sustainable development.

Its mission is "to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations."

It does this by promoting international cooperation in the field of the environment, recommending appropriate policies and monitoring the status of the global environment while gathering and disseminating environmental information.