Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, will represent Jamaica at the Fifty-Third Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C. from June 21 to June 23, 2023. Minister Johnson Smith will participate in high-level engagements to address crucial regional issues, foster partnerships, and ensure Jamaica’s active involvement in the world’s oldest regional body.
Looking ahead to the Assembly, Minister Johnson Smith said: “As the OAS seeks to address a wide range of issues affecting the entire western hemisphere, Jamaica is well positioned to form a strategic bridge between North and South. In this forum, we will continue to advocate for new approaches to access to financing for development including climate finance in the post-covid era, international assistance for Haiti and stronger attention to regional security including the issue of trafficking in people, guns and drugs.
“The Assembly coincides with the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the OAS. As Members of the world’s oldest regional body, the meeting is an opportunity to reflect and to re-commitment to our shared values in support of human rights and democracy and the promotion of sustainable human development”.
As Chair of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) of CARICOM, Johnson Smith will participate in bilateral as well as regional meetings, such as the preparatory meeting of the CARICOM Caucus, the 3rd CARICOM-Canada Ministerial Meeting, and a meeting of CARICOM Foreign Ministers with the Secretary General.
Minister Johnson Smith will also attend the Meeting of the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG), that is expected to build upon the outcomes of the Ninth Summit of the Americas held in June 2022 in Los Angeles, California, and the adoption of the Inter-American Action Plan on Health and Resilience.
