Closer trade and investment ties were forged, through several engagements at the ministerial and prime ministerial levels, which served to raise Jamaica’s profile globally.
Bilateral, Regional and Hemispheric Developments
• The Prime Minister met with Heads of State and Governments of USA, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea on overseas visits.
• Jamaica welcomed the Presidents of Ghana and Kenya for an Official and State Visit, respectively, as well as the Vice-President of Costa Rica and high-level officials from Canada, China, the UK and USA.
• Bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed on matters of security; economic cooperation; infrastructure development; immigration; health; sports; culture and political consultations.
CARICOM
• Jamaica participated in CARICOM Heads of Government Summit as well as Meetings of the CARICOM Community Council and Council of Foreign Relations.
• Jamaica was elected Chair for the Council of National Representatives of the Special Fund from 2019-2020 and Vice Chair for the Budget and Administration Committee, 2019-2020.
• CARICOM-Third State bilateral meetings held with India, Cuba, Colombia, Ireland, Norway, Nordic Countries, US, Singapore, Canada, Korea and China.
• Jamaica hosted the 172nd Period of Sessions of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in May. It was the first time that a Session was held in the Caribbean.
Multilateral Affairs
• Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness headed Jamaica’s Delegation to the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York where he delivered the country’s policy statement on the theme ‘Galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion’, which addressed, among other matters, financing for development.
Successful Candidatures
– Elected to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) to serve from 2020-2023;
– Re-elected to the Council of the International Sea Bed Authority (ISA).
– Re-election of Professor Verene Shepherd to the Committee on the Elimi- nation of Racial Discrimination (CERD);
- Re-election of Margarette May Macaulay to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
Regional Trade Relations
• A two-year suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) for imports of lithium-ion batteries until 30th April, 2021.
• An increase in the CET for imports of clinker and cement into Jamaica to its WTO bound rate of 50 per cent.
• A decision for the CARICOM Secretariat to conduct an independent verification of Jamaica’s alleged capacity to supply 75 per cent or more of the regional demand for condensed and evaporated milk.
Diaspora
• The Eighth Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference was successfully convened with participation from hundreds of Jamaicans across the globe.
• The draft National Diaspora Policy was completed and endorsed.
• The framework was established and endorsed for the evolution of the Diaspora Advisory Board into the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC). The new Council is a fresh approach to engagement with diaspora communities and will be more inclusive of Jamaicans wherever they are across the world.
• The Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council was established to galvanise youth leaders in the Diaspora.