Annual Diplomatic Week Begins on Sunday 24th January, 2010

High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to Jamaica, including those based overseas, will be arriving in the island for the annual Diplomatic Week which begins on Sunday at 9 A.M., 24th January with a church service at the University of the West Indies Chapel, Mona.
Organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the week which is in its 12th year, provides a framework for updating the diplomats on Government policies and programmes as well as an opportunity for dialogue and feedback on areas of mutual interest. Some 23 overseas based diplomats are expected to participate, along with 33 of their locally posted colleagues.
Welcoming the week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh said it was an important date on the diplomatic calendar. “We at the Ministry are pleased for the opportunity to interface with senior representatives of foreign countries assigned to Jamaica, as we continue to work closely to build partnerships and bridges of understanding for the betterment of our countries.”
On Monday (Jan 25), six new diplomats to be assigned to Jamaica, will present their credentials to the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen and Copy Letters of Credence to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Dr. Ken Baugh.
These diplomats are: the Ambassador-designate of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Rachid Bladehane; Ambassador-designate of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Zdenek Rozhold; Ambassador-designate of Burkina Faso, Mr. Daniel Ouedraogo; Ambassador-designate, Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. Adisak Panupong; High Commissioner-designate, Republic of Zambia, Dr. Nevers Mumba; and the Ambassador-designate, Republic of Croatia, Mr. Ranko Vilovic.
Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding will address the diplomats on Tuesday (Jan 26) morning and he will be followed by Deputy Prime Minister Baugh. Other addresses during the week will be made by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw; Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson; Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Hon. Karl Samuda, Minister of Tourism; Hon. Edmund Bartlett; and Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton. Vice-President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Paul Scott, and President of the Scotia Bank Group of Jamaica, Bruce Bowen will also make presentations to the diplomats.
Minister Baugh will host a special welcome – Jamaica Night – reception on Monday evening while the Consular Corps of Jamaica will host a reception on Wednesday (Jan 27) night. Diplomats will also be guests at the weekly luncheon of the Kiwanis Club of Kingston on Tuesday.
A highlight of the week will be the Diplomatic Dinner on Thursday (Jan 28) evening hosted by Their Excellencies the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, Governor-General and Lady Allen at King’s House.
An excursion to St. Ann on Friday will close the week.