Caption: Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith (left) at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit held during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Minister Johnson Smith is the head of Jamaica’s delegation. Also seen in the photo: His Excellency Brian Wallace, Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2nd left); Dr Wayne Henry, Chairman and Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (3rd left) and Her Excellency Angella Comfort, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) (2nd row left).
JOHNSON SMITH LEADING JAMAICA’S DELEGATION TO UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MEDIA RELEASE
(MFA&FT: September 19, 2023)
Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, JP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is leading the Jamaican delegation at the High Level Week of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York (September 18-26). In that capacity, the Minister will represent the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, at several High Level engagements and will deliver Jamaica’s National Policy Statement.
Other Ministers participating as part of the delegation are Dr. the Honourable Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness and Senator the Honourable Matthew Samuda, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Water, Environment and Climate Change who will lead Jamaica’s representation in the relevant sectoral meetings.
Considering this year’s theme, “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all,” Minister Johnson Smith noted:
“Jamaica continues to promote the value of multilateralism in solving the world’s common challenges, including poverty and various inequalities. This year’s theme recognises the need to re-energize and accelerate action towards attaining the 2030 SDGs, as the world seeks to create a better quality of life for this and future generations.”
Minister Johnson Smith will participate in a range of meetings, including the 2023 SDG Summit; the Climate Ambition Summit; the Dialogue on Financing for Development; and a preparatory Ministerial Meeting for the Summit for the Future. Meetings with like-minded countries will also address matters including climate change and decent work.
As Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), the Minister will convene the 18th Special Meeting of COFCOR. She will also participate in bilateral meetings with counterparts from traditional and non-traditional partners.
Minister Johnson Smith will also use the UNGA78 opportunity to intensify Jamaica’s campaign for election to Category ‘C’ of the International Maritime Council (IMO), as well as the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee (WHC).
The General Assembly is the principal organ for deliberation and policy-making among the one-hundred and ninety-three (193) Member States of the United Nations. The President of UNGA78 is Ambassador Dennis Francis, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
