The World Bank Group on Thursday officially opened its new energy-efficient offices in Kingston, marking a major milestone in its expanding presence in Jamaica and its operations across the Caribbean.
Located at 1 Belmont Road, the new facility will serve as the central hub for the Bank’s Caribbean team, bringing staff together in one shared space and strengthening on-the-ground support for Jamaica and the wider region. The opening follows the World Bank’s 2021 decision to relocate its Caribbean operations from Washington, D.C., to Jamaica as part of a broader strategy to decentralize operations and move closer to the countries it serves.
Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ambassador Audrey Marks, welcomed the development, describing it as a strong signal of the Bank’s long-term commitment to Jamaica.
“Today’s opening of the World Bank’s Belmont office is not only the launch of a new workplace. It is a visible statement of long-term partnership, trust and shared ambition between Jamaica and the World Bank,” Marks said.
She noted that the World Bank has played a key role in Jamaica’s development over several decades, supporting efforts to strengthen economic resilience, reform institutions and invest in social development.
“For decades, the World Bank has walked alongside Jamaica at pivotal moments in our developing journey,” Marks said, adding that the partnership has consistently focused on inclusive, forward-looking and people-centered development.
The World Bank currently supports Jamaica under a 2024–2027 framework that prioritizes human capital development, economic growth and resilience. Key areas of focus include financing for education, healthcare and social protection, as well as investments in disaster risk reduction, private sector modernization and climate resilience.
World Bank Country Director for Caribbean Countries Lilia Burunciuc said the new building reflects the institution’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
“Our mission is a world free of poverty on a livable planet,” Burunciuc said. “We would like to implement what we preach, which is energy efficiency, environmental consciousness and sustainability, which is what this office is about.”
The building is certified under the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) standard, a global green building certification system developed by the International Finance Corporation. According to the Bank, the certification will allow the facility to use 65 per cent less energy, 42 per cent less water and 25 per cent less embodied energy than conventional buildings.
Burunciuc, who assumed her post in Jamaica on July 1, 2021, noted that her appointment marked the first time a regional director was based in the Caribbean rather than Washington.
She also highlighted the practical benefits of the new space, noting that the Bank’s previous office in Jamaica was small and required staff to share work areas.
“Finally, we have a new building where everybody has an office,” she said. “We’re very happy to be here today.”
