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Welcome to the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Website

TheJamaican Foreign Service comprises its Headquarters located in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and 18 diplomatic missions and consular posts in the Caribbean, North, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These Missions and posts execute a range of activities embracing the development and maintenance of foreign and trade relations and the promotion and protection of its nationals overseas.

The consular activities of the Ministry’s Service are buttressed by the support of over 80 Honorary Consuls in various cities. There are approximately 400 officers in the Foreign Service – all of whom provide direct or indirect service to Jamaica and international communities at home and abroad.

Ministry Team

Press Releases

Johnson Smith looking forward to people-centred and development-focused Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

ByMFAFT on October 25, 2024

Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, is leading Jamaica’s delegation to the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa from the 21st to 26th October. The conference coincides with the 75th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth and will be chaired by the Honourable Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Samoa, under the theme, “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth”.

79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

ByMFAFT on September 27, 2024

KAMINA JOHNSON SMITH, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, said while Member States all face the same world of multiple and intersecting challenges, “the great difference between us, however, is our capacity to meet, withstand and recover from the shocks they bring”, as these challenges cannot be solved alone but through multilateralism, diplomacy and international cooperation

Jamaica and Canada hold bilateral talks in Toronto

ByMFAFT on September 21, 2024

The two top diplomats for Jamaica and Canada have met for bilateral talks on the margins of the Women Foreign Ministers Meeting hosted by Global Affairs Canada, which began on Thursday (September 19).

The opportunity allowed for Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest to both countries.

Minister Johnson Smith to Co-chair Women Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Toronto

ByMFAFT on September 19, 2024

Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, and her Canadian counterpart, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, will co-chair a two-day meeting of Women Foreign Ministers in Toronto, Canada, commencing on Thursday (September 19)..

The Meeting, which is being organised under the theme ‘Women’s participation in governance and the impact of disinformation’, will see Minister Johnson Smith leading discussions on issues affecting women’s roles in public spaces, including political leadership and governance.

Korea donates over $15m to support Jamaica’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Bery

ByMFAFT on AUGUST 16, 2024

Jamaica’s recovery efforts from the passage of Hurricane Beryl has found additional support in a donation valued at US$100,000, the equivalent of more than $15 million, from the Government and people of the Republic of Korea.
his follows a handover ceremony at the Foreign Ministry recently, involving Honourable Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Mr. Jin-Wook Kim, Chargé d’Affaires at the Korean Embassy in Kingston

Foreign Minister Johnson Smith to represent Prime Minister Holness at 47th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Grenada

ByMFAFT on JULY 27, 2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, will represent Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in St George’s,
Grenada, from July 28-30, under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Grenada, the Honourable Dickon Mitchell.

Johnson Smith to Preside over OACPS Council Meeting in Brussels

ByMFAFT on JULY 22, 2024

Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith of Jamaica will assume the Presidency of the 117th Session of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States
(OACPS), scheduled take place in Brussels, Belgium, during the period July 23-26.

Minister Terrelonge extends best wishes to Jamaican athletes ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics

ByMFAFT on JULY 17, 2024

The Honourable Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State in Jamaica’s Foreign Ministry, has extended best wishes to the country’s athletes as they prepare to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The State Minister was speaking at the French Embassy in Kingston on Bastille Day 2024, observed on July 14 annually.

China donates more than $7M to support Jamaica’s recovery efforts following the passage of Hurricane Beryl

ByMFAFT on JULY 17, 2024

In a gesture of international solidarity, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has donated more than $7.5 million (US$50,000) to support Jamaica’s recovery efforts following the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3.
The donation was formally presented on Tuesday (July 16) to Foreign Minister Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith by His Excellency Chen Daojiang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the island.

Jamaica thanks Diaspora and International Community for Relief Aid

ByMFAFT on JULY 09, 2024

Jamaica is fortunate to have enjoyed excellent partnerships with its bilateral partners, the Diaspora and the international community, the evidence of which is now being seen with the generous offers of assistance as the island recovers from the impact of Hurricane Beryl, says Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s Foreign Minister.

Jamaica to participate in 5th Trade Policy Review at the World Trade Organization

ByMFAFT on JULY 09, 2024

Jamaica is set to participate in its fifth Trade Policy Review (TPR), which is slated to take place at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva starting tomorrow (July 10).
The TPR is a mandatory peer review which will seek to examine developments in Jamaica’s national trade policy between 2017 when the last review was held, up to 2022. During this review, Jamaica will have an opportunity to outline national economic and development needs, policies and objectives, within the context of the external global economic environment. In this context, the upcoming review will consider the impact on Jamaica’s economic development, trade performance and capacity to trade, of unforeseen and external shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts such as those in Gaza and Ukraine, and more recently, the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

CARICOM DAY 4th July 2024

ByMFAFT on JULY 04, 2024

I extend greetings to our sisters and brothers across the Caribbean as we celebrate CARICOM Day 2024! This year’s observance is particularly poignant as it takes place within the context of Hurricane Beryl. This significant weather event became the earliest Category 4 and Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record. The destruction and loss of life which it caused in the Eastern Caribbean and Jamaica, has deeply moved all governments and people of the region. Jamaica extends our sympathies and solidarity to our sister countries, even as we too assess and respond to the impact of this hurricane.

Celebrating Diaspora Day; The Start of the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference

ByMFAFT on June 16, 2024

Today 16th June, we celebrate Diaspora Day, as we do every year in recognition of the presence and valuable role of the Jamaican Diaspora, to national development. This year’s observance takes on special significance, as Diaspora Day 2024 marks the start of the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference set for 16th to 19th June in Montego Bay. A Thanksgiving Church Service and Welcome Reception organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade are the featured events for the day and will set the tone for the Conference’s staging.

Foreign Ministry congratulates Professor Floyd Morris on re-election to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

By MFAFT on June 14, 2024

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is congratulating Professor Floyd Morris on his re-election to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) for the 2025-2028 term. In welcoming the results, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith declared, “this significant achievement not only affirms Jamaica’s standing internationally, but underscores Jamaica’s longstanding commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities on a global scale”.

Canada recommits to deepen cooperation with Jamaica

By MFAFT on June 06, 2024

Jamaica and Canada have agreed on concrete steps to further strengthen collaboration and partnership following the 8 th staging of the Jamaica-Canada Bilateral Consultations, which were held at the Foreign Ministry yesterday (June 6).

New Areas of Cooperation
During yesterday’s consultations, Jamaica and Canada discussed new areas for cooperation linked to water harvesting, education, data protection, records and information management, nuclear energy, agriculture and fisheries, as well as security cooperation to combat Trafficking in Persons, while increasing training and technical support in areas such as cybersecurity. Both countries also agreed to establish Technical Working Groups to follow up on the issues discussed in advance of the 9th staging of the bilateral consultations to be held in Canada come 2026.

Jamaica hands over COFCOR Chairmanship to Dominica

By MFAFT on May 24, 2024

Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, will formally end her chairmanship of CARICOM’s Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) at the Council’s 27th Regular Meeting set for May 23-24 in Roseau, a mantle which will fall to the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Minister Johnson Smith had assumed the Chairmanship at the 26th Regular Meeting of the COFCOR last May in Kingston. The COFCOR is the CARICOM organ responsible for foreign policy coordination and promoting the development of cooperation among Member States and with extra-regional partners.

Terrelonge meets with Jamaican Community in Paris ahead of Diaspora Conference

By MFAFT on May 16, 2024

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Honourable Alando Terrelonge, is scheduled to meet with members of the Jamaican Diaspora in Paris, later today. This engagement with Jamaicans living in France and the wider European region, comes in preparation for the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference set for June.

Minister Terrelonge’s visit to France follows his virtual participation in the Inaugural Regional Diaspora Conference for Continental Europe, which was held last December. This will be his first in-person engagement with the Diaspora in Europe, since assuming responsibility for Diaspora Affairs in May 2023.

Terrelonge represents PM Holness on Ocean Panel in Paris

By MFAFT on May 16, 2024

Warming ocean temperatures and rising sea levels, ocean acidification and other global threats from climate change, were among the items discussed by Jamaica at the 35th meeting of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel), of which Prime Minister Holness is a member.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Honourable Alando Terrelonge, who represented Prime Minister Holness at the three-day High-level meeting in Paris, France, said local threats are also being compounded by overfishing and pollution, beach erosion, coral reef bleaching and infectious disease.

Jamaica advocates for key interests in agriculture and commerce at 58th regional trade meeting in Guyana

By MFAFT on May 15, 2024

The Jamaican Government is actively advocating for key interests in agriculture and other trade related areas, at the 58th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in Georgetown, Guyana, which began yesterday. The COTED is considering a diverse agenda dealing with implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the Common External Tariff (CET), Rules of Origin, Standards and Competition, among others.

Foreign Minister announces Jamaica’s next Ambassador to Mexico

By MFAFT on May 14, 2024

A new Head of Diplomatic Mission is bound for Mexico City. This according to Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, who has appointed Ms. Julia Hyatt as the latest Ambassador-designate of Jamaica to Mexico.

Hyatt will be Jamaica’s 12th Head of Mission based in Mexico City, since the Jamaican Embassy first opened in 1967. The career diplomat has been a member of the Jamaican Foreign Service for more than 34 years, and currently serves the Foreign Ministry as its Under Secretary with responsibility for the Bilateral, Regional and Hemispheric Affairs Division.

Jamaican Health Clinics to benefit from Hi-5 Run/Walk in Florida

By MFAFT on May 13, 2024

The Jamaican Diaspora has literally raced to lend a helping hand to healthcare in Jamaica, following this year’s staging of the Hi-5 5K Run/Walk, which has generated financial support for five local clinics. Health clinics located in Portland, St Mary, St. Ann, and two based in St. Catherine, will continue to benefit from the proceeds of this year’s race.

Jamaica Joins International Call For Palestine To Be Granted UN Membership

By MFAFT on May 10, 2024

Jamaica is among the 143 countries that voted in favour of the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly earlier today, which calls on the Security Council to favourably reconsider the application of Palestine for Membership of the United Nations (UN). Recognising that the granting of membership resides with the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Security Council, the resolution calls on the Council to act, and expands the rights of the State of Palestine as a Permanent Observer in the General Assembly. Nine countries voted against the resolution while 25 countries abstained.

Statement In Explanation Of Vote After The Vote By His Excellency Brian Wallace Permanent Representative Of Jamaica To The United Nations

By MFAFT on May 10, 2024

Mr. President,
Let me begin by thanking you for reconvening the 10th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly today. On 22nd April 2024, the Government of Jamaica took the decision to recognize the State of Palestine. With Barbados having done so a few days earlier, and Trinidad and Tobago and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas joining the list of UN Member States that recognize the State of Palestine, it is worthy of note that all 14 CARICOM Member States have now recognized the State of Palestine.

Johnson Smith Joins Regional Talks on Migration in LatAm and The Caribbean

By MFAFT on May 7, 2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, is currently in Guatemala, where she has joined government officials from over 20 countries for crucial discussions on safe, orderly and regular migration across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Welcoming the Diaspora to Destination Trade and Investment

By MFAFT on May 3, 2024

As Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, with direct portfolio responsibility for Diaspora Affairs, it is my privilege and honour to invite our global Jamaican family and friends of Jamaica, to the 10th Biennial Global Jamaica Diaspora Conference, set to take place this June 16-19 in Montego Bay.

Johnson Smith chairs Special Session of OACPS Council of Ministers

By MFAFT on APRIL 25, 2024

Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, has presided over a Special Session of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), to address the Organisation’s finances.

Jamaica chairs this Special Session of the Council of Ministers in its current capacity as CARIFORUM’s representative on the Bureau of the Council of Ministers. This follows a request from His Excellency Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, Secretary General of the OACPS, for Jamaica to assume the chairmanship of the Special Session, given Haiti’s unavailability to preside over the two days of hybrid deliberations which began yesterday. development goals”.

Jamaica Recognizes Palestine as a State

By MFAFT on APRIL 25, 2024

The Government of Jamaica has taken the decision to recognize the State of Palestine. The decision was confirmed by Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, following deliberations of the Cabinet on Monday (April 22).

Minister Johnson Smith advised that, “Jamaica continues to advocate for a two-state solution as the only viable option to resolve the longstanding conflict, guarantee the security of Israel and uphold the dignity and rights of Palestinians. By recognizing the State of Palestine, Jamaica strengthens its advocacy towards a peaceful solution.”

Global launch marks countdown to 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference

By MFAFT on APRIL 4, 2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith says “under the theme ‘United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Prosperity and Youth Empowerment,’ this year’s conference promises to be a pivotal platform for collaboration between Jamaicans, the Government and other stakeholders, as we work towards achieving the national development goals”.

Johnson Smith briefs UN Security Council on CARICOM’s efforts to facilitate Haitian solution to crisis; Calls on International Community to remain committed to support

By MFAFT on MARCH 22, 2024

Johnson Smith, who spoke in her capacity as Chair of the Council of Foreign and Community Relations during a meeting convened by the UNSC recently, said “on behalf of CARICOM, I underscored the severity of the impact of the conflict on the people of Haiti, in particular women and children; and explained the real possibility of delay permitting the crisis to evolve into a full-blown civil war with severe implications for the wider region.

Jamaica and South Africa commemorate 30 years of diplomatic relations with Official Visit of Foreign Minister

By MFAFT on March 20, 2024

“Dr. Pandor’s visit to Jamaica signals the significance the longstanding friendship between Jamaica and South Africa. This year, our countries celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations, which were forged shortly after the apartheid regime ended in South Africa and Nelson Mandela became its first black President.

Johnson Smith to Represent Jamaica at 8th CELAC Summit in SVG: Security, Climate Change and Food Security in Focus

By MFAFT on February 29, 2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, will represent Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the Eighth Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which is set to take place in Buccament, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on March 1.