Caption for Samoa: Seated left: H.E Mr. Brian Wallace Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UNSeated Right: H.E. Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Pa’olelei Luteru Permanent Representative of the Independent State of Samoa to the UN. Centre: Senator the Honourable, Kamina Johnson Smith Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica. Left: Mr. Kavoy Ashley First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the UN. Right: Mrs. Matilda Bartley Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Independent State of Samoa to the UN.
NEW YORK -The Government of Jamaica and the Government of the Independent State of Samoa formalized the establishment of Diplomatic Relations during a Signing Ceremony at the Offices of the Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, who was on a working visit to New York, presided over the historic ceremony. His Excellency Mr. Brian Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations, and His Excellency Mr. Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Pa’olelei Luteru, Permanent Representative of the Independent State of Samoa signed the Joint Communique establishing Diplomatic Relation between the two countries.
Commenting on the proceedings, Minister Johnson Smith said, “It is truly a privilege to witness this event, having sought and obtained Cabinet’s approval for the entry into diplomatic relations with Samoa and a few others, in line with my Ministry’s, and indeed, my Government’s intent to deepen Relations with countries in Africa and the Pacific.”
Minister Johnson Smith highlighted that as Small Island Developing States and Middle-Income Counties, Samoa and Jamaica share similar concerns about Climate Change, and Sustainable Development, noting Jamaica’s desire for continued engagement at the multilateral level towards effectively addressing these challenges. The Minister also noted that Jamaica and Samoa are members of the three largest multilateral organizations: The United Nations, The Organization of African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the Commonwealth, and took the opportunity to discuss her candidature for the post of Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Both countries have expressed the hope that these newly established diplomatic channels will bolster existing efforts to advance mutually beneficial relations between the Government and people of Jamaica and the Independent State of Samoa.
