HAAKON, crown prince of Norway and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) goodwill ambassador, in ending his two-day visit to the island on Wednesday, hailed the prowess of Jamaican youth in fighting climate change while creating earning opportunities.

Haakon, during his keynote address to youth leaders at The University of the West Indies (UWI) in St Andrew, in noting that “young people in Jamaica are turning challenges into opportunities in a way that stimulates employment and helps to fight climate change”, pledged the continued commitment of the UNDP towards supporting the “needs and dreams of young people”.

“Over a period of 20 years as UNDP goodwill ambassador I have met with different kinds of leaders, many without formal positions but impressive young people who have chosen to make a difference because they could. You are also a part of that,” he said, adding, “Young people in Jamaica represent one third of the country’s population and your perspective and contributions matter immensely.”

In highlighting examples of the enterprise displayed by Jamaican youth, who have been engaged in converting articles such as Sargassum seaweed, bottles, tyres, and old computers “into marketable goods igniting the circular economy”, Haakon said, “Green jobs and new sources of income are created, including green energy services and coral reef restoration.”

“Entrepreneurship ventures and the increased utilisation of climate-smart farming are engaging youth creativity in productive directions,” the Norwegian crown prince stated.

In the meantime, the crown prince, pointing out that the progress on 35 per cent of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have slowed, said the progress made in respect of the other 65 per cent is reflective of the unrelenting efforts of individuals.

“According to the 2025 sustainable development goals report, there is progress on 65 per cent of the targets, but most of the progress, unfortunately, is too slow to be on track for 2030 and falling way behind, but 65 per cent is making progress. Thirty five per cent of the targets there is stagnation or regression. The fact is that the progress on the SDGs have slowed, but remember that we are still making progress on 65 per cent and that is because of the hard work of people. It is not a given someone is working very hard to make that happen,” Haakon said.

He, in the meantime, described Jamaica’s own status as “encouraging”.

“Approximately 27 per cent of the targets are on track, 41 per cent show limited progress… moderate improvements are observed in SDG 1, No Poverty; [there is] improvement in SDG 5, Gender Equality; SDG 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure is also moving in the right direction; and SDG 13, Climate Action,” Haakon told the gathering, noting that “it is also worth noticing that SDG 17, Partnership for the Goals, is on track providing strong support for achieving the broader SDG targets”.

Wednesday, the university’s Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Canute Thompson, speaking on behalf of Vice Chancellor Professor Hilary Beckles, said the university stood “ready for continued conversation“ and would “continue partnering with the UNDP in pursuit of shared goals and objectives”.

“The UWI has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with both the UNDP and the Government of Norway with whom we have entered and reviewed several partnerships. These agreements have been signed at various campuses of our university. The work of the UNPD and the focus of the ambassador are thus aligned to the work and focus of The UWI,” The UWI pro-vice chancellor said.

“We stand together in our collective interest in the planetary crisis and recognise your efforts to address the crisis through increasing visibility for young boys and encouraging youth leadership and engagement in sustainable development processes and programmes,” Thompson continued.

He noted further that “with nearly 200,000 unattached youth in Jamaica and an unemployment rate of about 14 per cent and proportionately similar numbers across the Caribbean… the effects of poverty hit hard, exacerbated by factors such as violence and the climate”.

Haakon, since embarking on his role in 2003, has been dedicated to promoting the UN’s SDGs, particularly goal one, which aims to eradicate poverty, and goal 14, focused on the conservation of life below water. While in Jamaica, the crown prince met with local authorities, youth, and representatives from various communities to discuss challenges and solutions related to oceans, climate change, and poverty.