NEW YORK (JIS): Thursday, September 27, 2007 - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh will deliver Jamaica’s foreign policy statement at the opening of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, October 2, 2007.

JIS NEWS/New York understands that Minister Baugh who will speak in the afternoon session, is expected to focus on a range of issues that are of primary concern to the Jamaica’s development index both as a member of the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) and the grouping of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), considered key units within the larger Group of 77 & China body.

Minister Baugh is expected to touch on the issue of global warming and climate change and the vulnerability of SIDS to natural disasters. He is also expected to highlight Jamaica’s pioneering role in bringing attention to the bicentennial of the abolition of the trans-atlantic trade in slaves as well as the revised role of the powerful economic and social council (ECOSOC), the engine of growth for developing member states.

Jamaica currently chairs the Third Committee for Social and Humanitarian Affairs, overseeing such contentious issues as human rights and trans-national security for the world body.

Jamaica’s delegation to the 62nd session which opened on Monday, September 24 and runs through Friday, October 12, 2007, will include, Ambassador Raymond Wolfe, Deputy Ambassador Angella Hamilton Brown, Under Secretary Vilma McNeish and First Secretary Ariel Bowen.