INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. We are pleased to be able to use the facilities of the new technological age and the opportunities it provides for information sharing at the global level. Cyberspace has bridged gaps in time and space and has transformed the world into a virtual global village.

The Ministry intends to make full use of the international network to expand its participation in the interactive process on global affairs. We will, in that context, seek to ensure adequate representation of Jamaica's view and interests on emerging political, economic and trade-related matters, which impinge on the development process as well as international peace and security.

We hope you will find the contents of our WebPages both interesting and informative in the context of your personal and professional interests. Your questions and comments on any issue addressed in the ensuing WebPages would be welcome.

Of course, we look forward to your regular visits to our website and invite you to add 'Bookmarks' to the points of reference of special interest to you.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Foreign Service is responsible for the implementation of Jamaica’s foreign policy, the management of Jamaica’s international relations and the promotion of its interests overseas.

 VISION 

To execute an inclusive and proactive foreign policy in a dynamic international environment aimed at maximizing Jamaica’s national growth and development.

 CORE VALUES

Nationalism

Professionalism

Accountability

Service

Adaptability 

Foreign Policy Priority Areas 2008-2011

These are the main areas on which the Foreign Ministry will focus for the three-year period 2008 to 2011.  As with everything else, our priorities will shift as national and global circumstances change.  They are NOT listed in order of importance:

Support for the Government’s renewed thrust in the promotion of trade and investment

Deepening of bilateral relations and co-operation through expansion of diplomatic relations and expansion of diplomatic presence in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America;

Further implementation of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) and Economy (CSME);

Strengthening of international (including bilateral and regional) co-operation on issues of national security;

Promulgation of Jamaica’s position on human rights, including addressing negative perceptions by the global community through clarification of actual domestic state of affairs and achievements;

Promotion of Jamaica’s interests and concerns as a middle-income developing country;

Promotion of Jamaica’s interests and the interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the areas of climate change, sustainable development and global environmental governance;

Advancement of an enhanced foreign trade agenda which emphasises the promotion of export diversification and market penetration; the integration of trade policy in the over-arching national development agenda and which focuses on the implementation of current trade commitments including the CARIFORUM/EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA); and negotiation of new trade agreements;

Strengthening of relationship and dialogue with the Jamaican Diaspora.