Mr. President, The Government of Jamaica welcomes this initiative of the UN in convening this high level meeting on the rule of law, given the acknowledged importance of the subject at both the national and international levels. Read More

Today, in commemorating the life and work of His Excellency, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, patriot, humanitarian and one of the most inspirational leaders of our time, I am pleased that Jamaica will recognize his exceptional legacy by committing 67 minutes of our time in service to others, especially our children, who are the focus of our observation of this Day. The...

In 2003, the first International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers was observed globally on May 29. Since then, the world has paid tribute to these men and women who have bravely served in some of the most hostile conditions, in order to restore an element of normalcy to the lives of the hundreds of thousands who are forced to...

Mr. Chairman, Honourable Ministers and Heads of Delegation, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen I take great pleasure in addressing this thirteenth Ministerial Conference of UNCTAD.  I wish to thank the Government and people of Qatar for the warmth and hospitality extended to me and my delegation. I would also like to thank the Secretary General of UNCTAD, Dr. Supachai, and...

Your Excellency, Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen. I count it a great privilege to be standing here tonight, representing The Queen in Jamaica on her Diamond Jubilee. Her Majesty has asked me to extend her great good wishes to you all, and is sorry that she can't be here - so you're stuck with me... but don't worry, cos every...

I welcome the convening of this Third Global Review of Aid for Trade which focuses attention on the very important issue of the impact that Aid for Trade funded programmes and projects can have on the economic prospects of developing countries, including small, vulnerable economies like Jamaica. Trade, i.e., imports and exports of goods and services, is indispensable to small,...

Mr. President As I see it, the state of the nation is that of a house under renovation.  A caution sign immediately comes to mind: “Pardon the inconvenience as we improve conditions to serve you better." When you reconstruct, rehabilitate or renovate, the inconveniences you face are infuriating, but you suffer them because you know better will come. I know...

As we gather here today, on Diaspora Day, under the theme “One Nation: Jamaica and Its Diaspora in Partnership”, I am honoured to have the task of welcoming you to Diaspora Convention 2011!  While some doubted our commitment to convene this year, I was quietly confident that we would convert the stumbling blocks into stepping stones.   Admittedly, it has not...