Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, Jamaica

02/09/2026

Against a global environment marked by uncertainty and complex challenges, Foreign Minister and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith🇯🇲, says regional cooperation remains essential, particularly for small states that cannot secure their interests acting alone. She was speaking yesterday (September 1), at the 48th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Region, in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

Her contribution to disucssions on the role of parliamentarians in regional cooperation and diplomacy, reflected on how Parliaments can complement the work of governments and Foreign Ministries by helping to build understanding, support the implementation of international commitments and strengthen the relationships that underpin cooperation. She pointed to parliamentary debate, friendship groups and regional networks as practical avenues for deepening engagement across borders

She also encouraged Parliamentarians to connect regional cooperation more closely to the issues citizens experience every day, including trade and investment, the movement of skills and services, climate resilience, food security and citizen safety. She noted that this can help build greater understanding of, and support for, regional priorities at the national and community levels.

The Conference brought together Parliamentarians from across the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region. Minister Johnson Smith joined President of the Senate, Senator the Honourable , as a co-panellist in a discussion deftly moderated by Senator .

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

The Jamaican Diaspora remains a pillar of national development and an indispensable partner in building a stronger, more resilient and prosperous Jamaica, says Foreign Minister Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith🇯🇲, who delivered the keynote address at the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey’s (JON-J) Annual Independence Gala in New Jersey, USA, on Saturday (August 29), where she was honoured with the Distinguished Award for Public Service.

Minister Johnson Smith was among four persons honoured at the Diaspora event, alongside Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, Mr. Owen Eccles and Dr. Valerie Miller. She accepted the recognition as reflective of the deepening partnership between Jamaica and its Diaspora, while acknowledging the contribution of her team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Newly minted Consul-General Consul General Oliver Mair for Consulate General of Jamaica, New York was also in attendance.

In her address, she underscored the contribution of Jamaicans overseas through investment, innovation, professional expertise, entrepreneurship and advocacy, and pointed to the National Diaspora Policy, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council and Youth Council, JA-DEM, ConnectMeJa and the Jamaica Diaspora Conference as vibrant mechanisms for strengthening their participation in Jamaica’s development.

That partnership, she noted, is increasingly important as Jamaica builds on gains in economic resilience and citizen security, including a reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio from over 140 per cent in 2013 to approximately 68.7 per cent in 2025 and a more than 50 per cent decline in homicides between 2023 and 2025. Minister Johnson Smith said the next phase of Diaspora engagement should move beyond relief and philanthropy towards rebuilding, investment and wealth creation, drawing on the capital, expertise, technology and business networks of Jamaicans overseas to advance national development.

The Minister further encouraged stronger commercial partnerships, technology transfer, enterprise and professional engagement to create opportunities for Jamaicans at home and abroad, as the country delivers on present priorities while positioning for a stronger and more resilient future.

28/08/2026

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade joins the family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers of veteran broadcaster Dervan Malcolm in mourning his passing.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dervan was a familiar and valued presence at many of the Ministry’s engagements, lending his voice and skill to several activities as moderator and Master of Ceremonies. These included the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference and the launches of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council and Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council, among others.

We are grateful for his years of support and engagement with the Ministry and Jamaica’s Diaspora. He will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and worked with him.

May his soul rest in peace.

27/08/2026

Across the world, Jamaica’s diplomatic Missions have been bringing Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica together to mark the country’s 64th anniversary of Independence, while using the occasion to strengthen the relationships that connect Jamaica with its international partners.

In New Delhi, High Commissioner for Jamaica to India, His Excellency Hall, and the team at the High Commission hosted an Independence reception on August 21 that brought Jamaica’s culture, history and growing partnership with India into focus.

Joined by members of the Jamaican community, the diplomatic corps and friends of Jamaica, the High Commission welcomed India’s Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, as Chief Guest, along with High Commissioner for India to Jamaica, His Excellency Mayank Joshi, and other distinguished guests.

High Commissioner Hall reflected on Jamaica’s journey to Independence and the longstanding friendship with India, noting growing cooperation in areas including healthcare, disaster resilience, renewable energy, capacity building and defence training.

As the reception progressed, culture remained central to the independence celebration, with Jamaican cuisine, Blue Mountain Coffee and live music bringing Jamaican and Indian influences together. For the High Commission, the occasion also provided another opportunity to strengthen Jamaica’s visibility, deepen people-to-people ties and connect with Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica in India.

26/08/2026

For generations, sport has carried Jamaica’s name, colours and spirit far beyond our shores. In Pretoria, that legacy provided a fitting backdrop as the Jamaican community celebrated 64 years of Independence.

High Commissioner of Jamaica to South Africa, Her Excellency Joan Thomas Edwards, welcomed members of the Jamaican community, the diplomatic corps and friends of Jamaica to the Jamaica 64 Sports Day at the CFC Rugby Club, where friendly competition and camaraderie brought this year’s Independence theme, ‘United in Celebrating Resilience’, to life.

It was also a reminder of how naturally sport bridges nations. For Jamaica and South Africa, two countries with proud sporting traditions, sport creates another space for connection, exchange and relationships that can extend well beyond the field of play. That spirit of resilience and togetherness is at the heart of this year’s Independence theme, and few things express Jamaica’s national character quite like sport: confident, determined and firmly present on the world stage.

Thousands of kilometres from home, in Pretoria, that character was on full display, with the black, green and gold worn with unmistakable Jamaican pride. 💚💛🖤

26/08/2026

Seven Jamaican Chevening and Commonwealth Scholars will shortly leave for the United Kingdom to pursue postgraduate studies at some of the country’s leading universities.

Foreign Minister, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith🇯🇲, joined British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Alicia Herbert, last evening (August 25) to bid the scholars farewell and celebrate their achievement ahead of their year-long academic journeys. Minister Johnson Smith described the scholarships as an investment in Jamaica’s most valuable asset, its human capital, and encouraged the scholars to pursue excellence, build meaningful connections, particularly with the Jamaican Diaspora, and return ready to contribute to national development.

Meanwhile, High Commissioner Herbert, who is herself a former Commonwealth Scholar, encouraged the scholars to make the most of every aspect of the experience, including opportunities beyond the classroom. She urged them to seek out conversations that challenge their assumptions, broaden their perspectives, and help them build relationships and networks that will endure well beyond their studies.

To date, more than 750 Jamaicans have benefited from Chevening and Commonwealth scholarship opportunities. To this newest cohort, Minister Johnson Smith offered her best wishes for a fulfilling and transformative experience, closing with a familiar Jamaican send-off: “Walk good!”