Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. (Photo: Philp Lemonte)
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith is set to participate in the 28th meeting of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), scheduled for May 8–9 in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis.
“As the Caribbean Community continues to navigate complex global issues which affect us all, this meeting in Basseterre will provide another platform for dialogue on such issues, including the situation in Haiti. We remain committed to advancing solutions that promote peace, stability and development for both the region and our sister nation,” Johnson Smith said.
Jamaica’s participation in the 28th Meeting of the COFCOR builds on its most recent chairmanship of the council, which ended last May and now precedes Jamaica’s chairmanship of the community, which it will assume on July 1 through to December 31, 2025.
“COFCOR continues to play a critical role in shaping our extra-regional engagements. Our shared commitment to advancing our development priorities will certainly redound to the benefit of both Caricom as a whole and each of our nations. I am confident that under Dr Douglas’ chairmanship, we will continue to find solutions supportive of our collective development,” added Johnson Smith.
The meeting will be chaired by Dr Denzil Douglas, minister of foreign affairs, international trade, industry, commerce and consumer affairs, economic development and investments of St Kitts and Nevis.
Johnson Smith will seek regional backing for Jamaica’s bid to sit on the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the period 2025-2028, as well as for election to the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organisation for the same period.
Caricom had previously endorsed Jamaica’s candidature for membership in the Council of the International Maritime Organisation, for which elections will be held later this year.
Jamaica will also participate in preparatory discussions for upcoming meetings involving Caricom member states, notably with Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, as well as with the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and the Organisation of American States (OAS). The COFCOR will also consider how the region can better prepare itself for impending discussions at the United Nations on the control of non-communicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being.
While in St Kitts and Nevis, Johnson Smith is expected to hold bilateral talks with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Enrique A Manalo. At the end of the business sessions on Friday, May 9, the foreign minister will travel to Beijing, China to represent Jamaica at the Fourth Meeting of the China–CELAC Ministerial Forum.