I am honoured to mark the 73rd year of existence of the United Nations and conscious that this year's commemoration finds us at a crucial crossroads, which sees multilateralism and the rules – based international order confronting major challenges.

As a Small Island Developing State, whose prospects are inextricably linked to that of the international community, we maintain a deep and abiding faith in the role of the United Nations. It is for us, an indispensable institution through which the Charter's notion of “We the Peoples” is given practical expression through our collective maintenance of international peace and security, development of friendly relations among states, and the promotion of social progress, better living standards and human rights for all peoples.

This conviction has been the fulcrum of our engagement with the United Nations, since we became a member 56 years ago and it continues to define our work with the Organization to date.

We are proud of the contribution we have made and the work we have accomplished thus far and look forward to doing even more in the years ahead. We are especially pleased with the fruitful and productive partnership we have established with the UN system here in Jamaica. Ours is a partnership built on mutual respect and cooperation and we are committed to deepening and strengthening this engagement in the future.

The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has set the stage for our relationship to be further enhanced. Jamaica is committed to ensuring that the Sustainable Development Goals, which are aligned with our own Vision 2030, can be fully implemented.

Our achievements as an international community could not have been realised without the commitment and dedication of the countless men and women who work and serve under the flag of the United Nations. We salute each and every one of them, including the many Jamaicans within their ranks across the world, who give of their efforts tirelessly and selflessly for the greater good of mankind.

We are conscious that there is a lot of work to be done and that our success will depend on how best the Organization is equipped to fulfill its responsibilities. Jamaica stands ready to play its part to support the reform and revitalization of the United Nations, as we discharge our collective mandate to uphold the noble and universal principles enshrined in its foundational Charter.