MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE
2 Port Royal Street, Kingston
MEDIA RELEASE
Johnson Smith looking forward to people-centred and development-focused Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
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”.
Minister Johnson Smith said, “This CHOGM represents a landmark as the first to be held in a Pacific Small Island Developing State, noting that sixty-six percent (66%) of the Commonwealth comprises SIDS. Jamaica is a strong advocate for SIDS and highly indebted middle-income countries (HIMICs) and will be focusing on matters including financing for development; climate change and climate financing; oceans governance; and technology, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
In a broader context, Johnson Smith outlined other areas of focus, saying, “As we always do in the Commonwealth, we will have inter-generational discussions on building the resilience and empowerment of our young people, addressing our aging populations and focusing more on elder care; as well as focusing on our women and girls. This conference will also have the opportunity to lay the foundation for future discussions on reparations in respect of the transatlantic slave trade which is a critical matter for several members of the Commonwealth.”
Johnson Smith added, “The Government of Jamaica congratulates the Government of Samoa and anticipates both a productive Conference and tenure as Commonwealth Chair-in-Office. We look forward to participating in a robust programme of work.”
Johnson Smith will participate in a range of meetings including: the Pre-CHOGM Foreign Minister’s Meeting; CHOGM 2024 Executive Sessions; and the Heads of Government Retreat. She has also been invited to be a panelist at a Side Event convened by the British Foreign Secretary, on Finance and Investment for Resilient Growth, where the opportunity will be used to share Jamaica’s experience in building national resilience to the impacts of climate change; as well as a side event on Climate Vulnerability and Resilient Youth, convened by the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
While in Apia, Minister Johnson Smith will also hold bilateral talks with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Ministers of Samoa, as well as the Foreign Ministers of Malta, Rwanda, and the United Kingdom, among other high level representatives.
Minister Johnson Smith expressed pleasure at Jamaica’s representation at the 13th Commonwealth Youth Forum – a longstanding priority event for the Commonwealth under the theme: “Navigating our Course and Building Resilience for a Common Future,” and thanked the Minister of Education for facilitating same. She advised that Jamaica would also be represented at other pre-CHOGM fora include Women, Business as well as the People’s Forum – the largest gathering of civil society representatives, which will focus on pressing development issues for SIDS.
Since 1962, Jamaica has been an active member of the Commonwealth – a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries, that is home to 2.5 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries.
