Foreign Affairs Minister Emphasises Importance of the United Nations

The United Nations (UN) has never been more important than it is today, to promote economic progression and stem the “growing levels” of conflict, instability and uncertainty globally.

This was emphasised by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, as she addressed a recent Diplomatic Day event, held at her downtown Kingston office.

She argued that while there is wide agreement that the UN system needs reform, there is important work to be done in restoring peace and security in areas where they do not now exist, adding that Jamaica fully supports the world body and the “cause of multilateralism as the only rational way for collective investment in addressing global situations”.

“In its adherence to the fundamental principles in the conduct of international affairs which guide our interactions, Jamaica reiterates its call for respect for international law by all member states of the international community, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states,” the Minister said.

She added that Jamaica remains “concerned and has expressed our condemnation of the war on Ukraine, the attacks on Israel, and the dire humanitarian consequences on civilians which have since unfolded unabated in Gaza”.

The Minister also noted that the island remains vigilant to developments within “our own region in relation to our sister country Guyana”.

On the issue of Climate Change, Minister Johnson Smith said, without “adequate financing”, the goals of the Paris Agreement will remain elusive, placing the very survival of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at risk.

She said that Jamaica is pleased that COP28 agreed on the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund and encouraged those responsible for the requisite Board Appointments to make their nominations and thanked those that have already made pledges.

“We also continue to urge both emerging and developed economies to reduce green-house gas emissions in keeping with commitments under the Paris Agreement and the UAE Consensus,” she said.

The Consensus includes an unprecedented reference to transitioning from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, to enable the world to reach net zero emissions by 2050, in keeping with the science.

On the trafficking of small arms and light weapons, the Minister called for “collective support” from all countries, to recognise that crime and violence has the potential to erode socio-economic gains, and “we remain committed to fighting this scourge”.

“With assistance from our international partners in stemming, in particular, the influx of illegal and unregistered small arms, we will be better positioned to enhance our security. We, therefore, continue to support the Mexican case against the largest gun manufacturers at source and view it as one of the most important current initiatives on this issue,” she said.

The Minister told her audience that Jamaica has made its own strides with new legislation, such as the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, and the modernised Bail Act, and that the Administration continues to strengthen port security and maritime border control, through cooperation with regional and international partners, as well as with specific crime prevention programmes, “but we are not yet where we want and need to be, and so, we continue to work in this regard”.