Hon. Kamina J Smith

Senator & Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica. Committed to building a Better Jamaica

[Andrew Holness @AndrewHolnessJM]

The important mission of advancing regional objectives through ongoing collaboration continues here in Saint Lucia, where Caribbean leaders are gathered for the Fifty-First Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.

[Andrew Holness @AndrewHolnessJM]

I joined my fellow Heads of Government for the Opening Ceremony of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.

This meeting provides an important opportunity for regional leaders to engage in meaningful discussions on the issues that affect the lives of our people.

Over the coming days, I will participate in discussions aimed at advancing shared priorities and ensuring that the decisions we make deliver tangible benefits for the people of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

The work we undertake together has lasting significance for our region, and I remain committed to ensuring that Jamaica continues to play a constructive role in shaping our shared future.

[Andrew Holness @AndrewHolnessJM]

I extend warm congratulations to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre on assuming the Chairmanship of the Caribbean Community.

I look forward to working closely with Prime Minister Pierre and my fellow Heads of Government as we continue to strengthen regional cooperation, address the issues affecting our people, and pursue opportunities that support sustainable growth and development across the Caribbean.

On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, I extend my best wishes for a successful tenure as Chairman of CARICOM.

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, GOJ @mfaftja]

Foreign Minister @kaminajsmith is off to St. Lucia for the 51st Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government.

Before departing Kingston, she shared with us what’s on the agenda.

Take a look.

#mfaftja

[Hon. Kamina J Smith @kaminajsmith]

I dont know of anyone who has given up at all! I know my response started with absolute agreement with Kelly on work being needed. I also know the government has purchased more garbage trucks and banned single use plastics and Styrofoam and incentivised recycling and has been speaking more about cleanliness and care for the environment. There are more plans - including govt startin separation among ministries even as partnerships are sought and public education undertaken. More to be done absolutely, but at the end of the day we just cannot escape the role of personal responsibility.

[Hon. Kamina J Smith @kaminajsmith]

Absolutely. I just think the argument that places have litter because of an absence of bins is an easy way to blame govt and avoid responsibility. Why throw garbage out a car window when yoj can drive with it until you reach home or a bin for eg? Last year I even saw a man on a garbage truck back throw a (presumably empty) box juice on the roadside FROM the truck back! Lots of work to be done at several levels.

[Hon. Kamina J Smith @kaminajsmith]

@Gordonswaby @undamipengting No. You keep it to throw it away when you find a bin!

[Hon. Kamina J Smith @kaminajsmith]

Wishing the USA a happy 4th of July and a happy 250th anniversary of independence! Many thanks to Min Ed Bartlett who represented the GOJ and the people of Jamaica in presenting remarks at the Embassy's official event hosted by Chargé d'Affaires Scott Renner.
Best wishes @USEmbassyJA ! (delayed repost w/edits)

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, GOJ @mfaftja]

As Jamaica prepares to develop its first-ever National Action Plan on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade today hosted a sensitization session in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister (Defence Division).

The session brought together key stakeholders to discuss the WPS Agenda and how Jamaica will translate the broad objectives of this framework into its national development context.

Take a look.

#mfaftja

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, GOJ @mfaftja]

reign Minister Sen. the Hon. @kaminajsmith held bilateral talks with Portugal’s Secretary of State for European Affairs, H.E. Inês Domingos , on the margins of the OECD-LAC Ministerial Dialogue in Madrid, Spain.

The exchange provided an opportunity to explore practical avenues for deeper cooperation including on oceans, air services, trade and investment links, as well as expanding cooperation in culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

[José Manuel Albares @jmalbares]

En el marco del Diálogo Ministerial @OECD–América Latina y el Caribe, me he reunido con mis homólogos de Jamaica, Haití, El Salvador y Nicaragua.

Seguimos fortaleciendo los vínculos de España con el Caribe.

@kaminajsmith @CancillerAleHT @DenisCanciller, Raina Forbin.

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, GOJ @mfaftja]

Foreign Minister @kaminajsmith has been using her time in Madrid to deepen Jamaica’s dialogue with the OECD Development Centre on practical development partnerships for the Caribbean.

On the margins of the OECD–Latin America and the Caribbean Ministerial Dialogue, Minister Johnson Smith met with Ms. Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir, Director of the OECD Development Centre.

Their discussion focused on the work of the Centre, the recently published Caribbean Development Dynamics 2026 report, and opportunities for closer collaboration with Jamaica and the wider region. Minister Johnson Smith discussed Jamaica’s strong economic progress, strategies for disaster resilience and the importance of development measures that go beyond GDP to better reflect the realities of small and vulnerable economies.

The meeting closed on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their interest in continued dialogue and practical cooperation.

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, GOJ @mfaftja]

On the margins of the OECD Ministerial Dialogue for Latin America and the Caribbean, Foreign Minister, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, joined regional and international partners for discussions on business, trade blocs and private sector growth.

The Minister also discussed with stakeholders from the public and private sectors the importance of trade integration and regional resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), emphasizing the need to build bridges between countries and existing institutions.

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, GOJ @mfaftja]

Day One in Madrid.

On the margins of the OECD Ministerial Dialogue for Latin America and the Caribbean, Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith continued Jamaica’s engagements with partners on resilience, trade, investment and security.

Here’s a recap.

#mfaftja #spain

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, GOJ @mfaftja]

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable @kaminajsmith, today (June 30) met with Anabel González, Vice President for Countries and Regional Integration at the IDB, for discussions on deepening Jamaica’s partnership with the IDB Group.

The IDB Group conveyed its continued solidarity with the people and Government of Jamaica as the island advances recovery and reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Melissa. The IDB also outlined available project opportunities, financing facilities and specialised initiatives across the public and private sectors, including support aimed at economic growth and business development.

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, GOJ @mfaftja]

The meeting in Madrid, Spain, provided an opportunity to examine areas of support aligned with Jamaica’s wider development objectives, including initiatives aimed at strengthening private sector participation and expanding support for large, small and medium-sized businesses.

Minister Johnson Smith expressed Jamaica’s appreciation for the IDB Group’s support in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and welcomed continued collaboration in advancing Jamaica’s recovery, resilience and long-term development goals.

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, GOJ @mfaftja]

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable @kaminajsmith, this morning (June 30) met with His Excellency Mr. Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, Minister of the Interior @interiorgob of the Kingdom of Spain.

The Ministers discussed issues of shared priority, including the multifaceted approaches needed in the fight against transnational organised crime. They reaffirmed Jamaica and Spain’s commitment to strengthening bilateral collaboration in addressing increasingly complex port and other cross-border security challenges.

[Hon. Kamina J Smith @kaminajsmith]

It was a pleasure meet with the IDB Group's VP for Countries and Regional Integration, Anabel Gonzales. We had productive discussions about the new US$7M Regional Technical Capacity Facility for SMEs being undertaken with support from Canada and the @Caribank - including how important business capacity building is in the creative industries and other sectors known for micro and small scale. The One Caribbean Project Preparation Facility for larger projects in which Jamaica already has 15 projects at different phases of development was also discussed together with the IDB's support for @TheJSEZA and investment facilitation. Of course we also addressed vulnerability and critical post Melissa support for NARRA to enable recovery and re construction. Wide ranging discussions on matters which will have a positive impact locally and regionally!