The government is moving to implement a national development strategy, to guide economic and social development efforts up to the year 2025.

The strategy called 'Vision 2025', will involve participation from all stakeholders in the society, according to Deborah Patrick-Gardner, senior policy analyst in the Office of the Prime Minister.

"The development of Vision 2025 will outline our national goals and objectives for the country, which all citizens can refer to, and work towards the quest to achieve sustainable development."

Mrs. Patrick-Gardner also said the initiative is in keeping with international and regional efforts to integrate social, economic and environmental policies towards a common national good.

"It underscores the whole issue and concept of integration and balance; integration between the social, economic and environmental dimensions of society, which, of course, must be supported by good governance processes," she said.

The development of Vision 2025, is also consistent with Jamaica's commitments under Agenda 21, which provides that governments adopt a national framework for sustainable development. Agenda 21 was adopted by 178 governments at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.

Development strategies

In addition, at a World Summit in 2002, countries were urged to take immediate steps to formulate sustainable development strategies.

Mrs. Patrick-Gardner told the Jamaica Information Service that Vision 2025 will be implemented on a phased basis. She said already a National Sustainable Development Task Force supported by a technical team has been established.

The Task Force, which is chaired by Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Carlton Davis, comprises government and non-government organisations, representatives of the private sector, and civil society.

Objective

The Cabinet Office is also leading the process for developing a national vision, while the Planning Institute of Jamaica will have responsibility for developing the strategic objective.

"This national vision would have a framework that will define the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in the process of sustainable development," said Mrs. Patrick-Gardner.

She said the national vision should be in place by year-end. In the meantime, Mrs. Patrick-Gardner said as part of efforts to sensitise the wider population about sustainable development, a community competition will be launched soon.