Johnson Smith representing Jamaica at CARICOM Heads of Government meeting

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith will represent Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in St George’s, Grenada.

The conference, which starts today and continues until Tuesday, is being held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell.

Among the key issues for deliberation are climate change and sustainable development, free movement, security issues, the situation in Haiti, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, and the agri-food systems work programme, which prioritises food and nutrition security.

CARICOM heads are also set to discuss the operationalisation of the Multilateral Air Services Agreement towards improving air transport within the community.

Collective goals

“Jamaica remains steadfast in its commitment to CARICOM and its collective goals. This meeting is another opportunity to strengthen collaboration and address the pressing issues that affect our region, particularly in the areas of food security, sustainable development, and climate resilience, especially as we grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl,” said Minister Johnson Smith as she expressed her continued commitment to advancing Jamaica’s interests while bolstering regional integration efforts.

Johnson Smith added that the meeting would also review progress towards achieving full free movement and the targets set under the 25 by 2025 initiative aimed at reducing regional food imports.

“A Strategy for Regional Digital Resilience 2025-2030 is also slated to be tabled as we continue to work on harmonising ICT policies, legislation, best practices, networks, and services,” she said.

The foreign minister reaffirmed the importance of CARICOM member states and institutions working together “to achieve inclusive sustainable development, given our many shared challenges, including the impact on the region’s aspirations caused by our vulnerability to stronger and more frequent weather events”.

One of the oldest surviving integration movements in the developing world, CARICOM is an organisation of 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies that promotes economic integration and cooperation among its members. It aims to coordinate foreign policy and support human and social development within the region.