Caption: Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Mr. Masatoshi Akimoto, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foeign Affairs of Japan interacts during a bilateral discussion between Jamaica and Japan on Wednesday, October 5 at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters in Downtown Kingston.
Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade says Jamaica looks forward to strengthening its partnership with Japan under the Government of Japan’s Grant Aid Economy and Social Development Programme in the lead up to 2024, when the countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Minister Johnson Smith welcomed this celebration in 2024 which coincides with the Government of Japan designating the year as Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year.
As it relates to climate change, Minister Johnson Smith during her bilateral meeting with Mr. Masatoshi Akimoto, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan underscored that, “Japan as a member of the Group of Twenty (G20) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is one of the countries that best understands the impact of climate change and how critical Disaster Risk Response Management and resilient is to a country’s economic stability.” The importance of cooperating in this field was also underscored by Mr. Akimoto.
In the area of maritime security, Johnson Smith emphasized how critical maritime security is to Jamaica, “The ability to control, disrupt contraband and trafficking is so important to Jamaica’s stability. We look forward to welcoming the additional vehicles that you have confirmed that will come, as they are critical to our safety, peace and security.”
She also noted the country’s appreciation for the grant aid support given by Japan to assist in the country’s maritime security.
Jamaica and Japan further reiterated their support for the call for reform of the United Nations Security Council. Johnson Smith stated that “the Security Council should be transparent and more responsive and representative of the world today.”
Discussions also included candidatures, the upcoming World Assembly for Women as well as cooperation in renewable energies, particularly solar and wind.
Mr. Akimoto’s visit to Jamaica is against the backdrop of a handover ceremony for a high speed boat donated by the Government of Japan to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) under the Government of Japan’s Grant Aid Economic and Social Development Programme. Japan also used the opportunity to commemorate Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of independence.
The bilateral meeting was held on Wednesday, October 5 at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters in Downtown Kingston.
