Caption for Kiribati: Seated left: H.E Mr. Brian Wallace Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN, Seated Right: H.E. Mr. Teburoro Tito Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kiribati 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. Keina Tito First Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kiribati to the UN.
NEW YORK –The Government of Jamaica and the Government of the Republic of Kiribati 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, 26th April 2022.
Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, who is on a working visit to New York, presided over the ceremony – the second such concluded during the four (4) day working visit, pursuant to Cabinet’s gave approval for the formalization of diplomatic relations with specific countries across Africa and the Pacific, including Kiribati.
Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. Brian Wallace, and Kiribati’s Permanent Representative, His Excellency Mr. Teburoro Tito, of the Republic of signed the Joint Communiqué establishing Diplomatic Relations between the two (2) countries.
Minister Johnson Smith highlighted that as fellow Small Island Developing States, Jamaica and Kiribati share multiple areas of interest which for which technical cooperation should be explored. Both the Minister and the Kiribati Ambassador agreed that there was need to advance south-south cooperation as a means of advancing mutually beneficial sustainable development efforts. In this regard, note was taken of agricultural cooperation, particularly the traditional Kiribati practice of spathe-tying a technique for the collection of coconut sap locally known as ‘sweet toddy’ or ‘karewe’. This liquid is not only commonly used as a drink for people of all ages, but can also be used as a substitute for breast milk for babies, or. The sap, can also be boiled into a syrup, or fermented to make a liquor.
Both countries have expressed the hope that this newly established diplomatic channel of engagement will bolster existing efforts to advance mutually beneficial relations between the Government and people of Jamaica and the Republic of Kiribati.
Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations
