Foreign minister announces new ambassador to Cuba

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith has announced the appointment of Kathryn Phipps as Ambassador-designate to Cuba. She succeeds Ambassador A'Dale Robinson who will resume duties at the ministry. Phipps is expected to commence her tour of duty in Cuba in early May 2018.

Phipps, who is an attorney-at-law with more than 30 years of experience in that field, currently chairs the medical appeals tribunals and is also a member of the committee to review Jamaica's justice system . She also has previously chaired the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica and the nurses appeal tribunal.

A philanthropist at heart, Phipps continues to support the country in a range of social development areas, including membership of the boards of the South East Regional Health Authority and the G.C. Foster College for Sports and Physical Education.

Minister Johnson Smith has said that, with Phipp's keen interest and understanding of international law, particularly relating to international trade and organisations within the Caribbean, her appointment as Ambassador-designate to Cuba aligns with the administration's goal of wider trade linkages and stronger technical cooperation across the region".

In 2000, Phipps was selected to participate in the US Department of States' International Visitor Programme. She observed general elections in South Dakota, Portland, Louisiana and the District of Colombia's with a focus on acknowledging and encouraging civil society participation in the electoral and democratic processes and institutions.