Diplomatic Week 2025 Kicks Off March 10
By: , March 7, 2025
Photo: Dave Reid
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, addresses a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank held on Thursday (March 6) at the agency’s Television Department in Kingston.The Full Story
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is finalising preparations for Diplomatic Week from March 10 to March 14.
About 12 newly appointed heads of mission will present copies of their credentials to Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen and portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith.
Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on Thursday (March 6), Senator Johnson Smith said that Diplomatic Week is an opportunity to welcome the new heads of mission from countries such as Egypt, Angola, Kenya, Ethiopia and Guatemala.
“We have others who have presented already but are not resident in the country. Together, we will have our 26 resident Heads of Mission, with other additional countries visiting,” she pointed out.
Senator Johnson Smith explained that Diplomatic Week allows Jamaica to engage with traditional and non-traditional partners to update them on the country’s political, economic, cultural and social landscape.
“It brings them up-to-date on policies and specific issues that are of interest to them and that are of mutual interest. It allows for bilateral meetings where they can be arranged and it also provides a platform for ministerial briefings on areas that Jamaica wishes to highlight,” she added.
The week will feature ministerial briefings, with Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, to speak on smart agriculture and Jamaica’s efforts to engage more young people in the sector, while Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, will speak about the creative and cultural industries as well as sports.
Briefing sessions will also be held with Minister of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, and Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator, the Hon. Aubyn Hill.
Senior Government officials representing the Bank of Jamaica, Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), and Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), will also address the diplomats.
Diplomatic Week will be observed under the theme ‘Building Partnerships for Sustainable Development’.