Jamaican News

Kamina Johnson Smith Passes CARICOM Chair to Dominica’s Vince Henderson Following Meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister

New York, USA – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, has passed the CARICOM chairmanship for foreign affairs to Hon. Vince Henderson of Dominica. The announcement followed a productive meeting between CARICOM Foreign Ministers and India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, on the margins of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week.

In a post shared on social media on September 29, 2024, Johnson Smith described the meeting as “a great opportunity” to follow up on bilateral and regional matters initially raised during a previous meeting in Guyana. The discussions focused on developments since the last meeting, touching on various collaborative efforts between CARICOM and India.

“Always good to meet as friends tackling weighty matters together,” Johnson Smith said, while expressing her optimism about future engagements. She extended her gratitude to her CARICOM colleagues and conveyed confidence in Vince Henderson’s leadership.

This transition of leadership comes at a pivotal time for CARICOM as the region strengthens diplomatic ties and seeks to address challenges related to economic development, climate change, and international cooperation. Johnson Smith highlighted the importance of India’s role in these discussions, particularly as both parties work on shared goals, including technology transfer, health care, and climate resilience.

The meeting also underlined India’s growing influence and partnership within the Caribbean region, with both sides exploring new areas of cooperation to enhance mutual benefits.

Johnson Smith’s term as CARICOM Chair for foreign affairs has been marked by significant strides in regional diplomacy, and she expressed optimism for continued progress under Henderson’s stewardship.

CARICOM leaders are expected to continue their collaborative work with India and other global partners, leveraging international platforms like the UNGA to strengthen foreign relations and advance regional priorities.

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