Caption: Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Sen. the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith and Jamaica’s flag bearer, Jordan Ricketts pause for a photo opportunity during the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration held on Monday, March 13 in London, United Kingdom. The Commonwealth Service celebrates the people and cultures of the Commonwealth nations.
Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is now in the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM). She will also conduct high-level engagements with the UK government and meet with the Jamaican Diaspora.
According to Minister Johnson Smith, the meeting of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers, which is slated to convene on March 15, is of added significance, since, “This year marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter, that expresses the commitment of member states to the promotion of prosperity and sustainable development that improves the lives of all the people of the Commonwealth. It also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme.”
Johnson Smith further added that, “Critical discussions will be held taken on climate finance and action, intra-Commonwealth trade, digital connectivity, food security and other issues around building resilience for a peaceful and just global community.”
Minister Johnson Smith is also scheduled to engage with her UK counterpart to discuss bilateral matters as well as Jamaica’s imminent hosting of the Jamaica-UK Strategic Dialogue and the Caribbean-UK Forum. According to Johnson Smith, “Jamaica and the United Kingdom enjoy vibrant relations. Continual engagement at this level is essential for maintaining focus on matters critical to our countries from both bi-lateral and multilateral perspectives.”
Minister Johnson Smith will engage with members of the Jamaican Diaspora, as is her usual effort during official travel. Johnson Smith said, “I look forward, as always, to meeting with our nationals in London, to listen to their perspectives, answer their questions and to share news of developments in Jamaica.”
