JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ é ISSUED ON THE OCCASION OF THE STATE VISIT TO JAMAICA BY H. E. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

1. At the invitation of His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, Governor-General of Jamaica, His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, paid an official visit to Jamaica from 23rd- 26th November 2009. The President was accompanied by his spouse, Her Excellency Salma Kikwete, Honourable Samia Suluhu, Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Honourable Dr. Cyril A. Chami, Deputy Minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing of the United Republic of Tanzania, government officials, as well as members of the media.
2. On arrival, President Kikwete was received by His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen and met with the Honourable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica. On the 25th November 2009, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller, ON, MP, Leader of the Opposition, and the Most Honourable PJ Patterson, ON, OCC, PC, QC, former Prime Minister of Jamaica paid courtesy calls on the President.
BILATERAL RELATIONS 3. In the review of their bilateral relations, Prime Minister Golding and President Kikwete reaffirmed their strong commitment to enhancing cooperation through the promotion and implementation of specific programmes in the fields of agriculture, tourism, education, health, sports and culture. Both leaders agreed on the importance of exchange of experts, information and research in these fields.
4. The two leaders exchanged views on the significant contribution which the Diaspora can make to the development of their countries and agreed to share information and experience on the effective involvement of their respective Diaspora towards achieving their nations’ development objectives.
5. Prime Minister Golding and President Kikwete therefore agreed to the establishment of a Bi-national Commission which they recognised as an ideal instrument for developing and monitoring the implementation of an agreed programme for bilateral cooperation.
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES 6. Prime Minister Golding and President Kikwete discussed a range of international issues, with specific emphasis on the global economic crisis, the challenges faced by Highly Indebted Middle Income Countries, reform of the International Financial Institutions, the Millennium Development Goals, food security and youth unemployment. They also exchanged views on the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (27th- 29th November, 2009, Trinidad and Tobago), the World Trade Organisation (29th -November – 2nd December, 2009, Geneva) and the Conference on Climate Change (7th – 18th December 2009, Copenhagen).
7. Prime Minister Golding and President Kikwete noted that multilateralism and South- South cooperation formed the basis of their cooperation at both bilateral and multi-lateral levels, particularly within the context of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Group of 77 and China, as well as the Group of 15, the Non-Aligned Movement and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
8. In relation to the Fifteenth Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (7th-18th December 2009, Copenhagen), both leaders stressed the importance of an ambitious, fair and meaningful outcome based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. They reiterated their concerns over the threats posed by climate change to the sustainable development of their countries.
9. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the objectives of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States for consolidating and reinforcing their solidarity and unity. They stressed the urgent need for improved cooperation between ACP Governments and peoples for the realisation of sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and the gradual and smooth integration of the ACP states into the global economy. They reaffirmed the need to ensure that the ACP-EU (Cotonou) Partnership Agreement contribute to the realisation of the primary objectives of sustainable development, poverty eradication, the greater well-being of their populations and in helping them to face the challenges of globalisation.
10. Prime Minister Golding congratulated President Kikwete on his sterling leadership of the African Union during his Chairmanship in 2008. He emphasized the positive role which the President played in resolving various conflicts in Africa.
11. Both leaders recognised that HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the most serious problems of their public health systems and agreed to intensify efforts to combat and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and promote activities to prevent discrimination against people living with the virus. In addition, they agreed to support the call for increased resources from multilateral organisations, UN agencies and the private sector to address public health concerns in their development activities and programmes.
12. President Kikwete expressed appreciation to the Governor-General and the Prime Minister for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation by the Government and people of Jamaica during his visit.
13. President Kikwete extended invitations to the Governor-General and Prime Minister Golding to visit the United Republic of Tanzania at a mutually convenient time.
Signed in Kingston, Jamaica, this 26th Day of November, 2009.