Tag: Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith

China’s Foreign Minister warmly welcomed to Jamaica

January 23, 2024

Over the weekend, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, visited Jamaica and was welcomed effusively by our Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. Our government officials all looked thrilled to bits at his visit; Mr. Wang, however, barely broke a smile in most of the photos I have seen. I am … More China’s Foreign Minister warmly welcomed to Jamaica

Dancing around foreign affairs in Jamaica – but there have been some missteps

December 21, 2023

A lot of “regional issues” have been floating around recently. Jamaicans have been opining on whether to sign an agreement or not; whether to vote or not; and where and when Jamaica has been present, or absent. The discussions have been fast and furious on social media – unfortunately, not all very well informed, and … More Dancing around foreign affairs in Jamaica – but there have been some missteps

Jamaica will not sign the Samoa Agreement on November 15, still consulting with stakeholders

November 11, 2023

Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade today announced that it will be “delaying its signing of the post-Cotonou Agreement (Samoa Agreement) in order to facilitate ongoing consultations.” The Ministry’s press release continues: “Throughout the negotiations which concluded in 2021, the Government had taken on board the views of the various stakeholders including members … More Jamaica will not sign the Samoa Agreement on November 15, still consulting with stakeholders

Freedom Imaginaries urges Jamaican Government not to deport Haitians

July 22, 2023

International human rights lawyer and founder of Freedom Imaginaries Malene Alleyne wrote to Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, urging her Government not to deport Haitian refugees and to work with them to protect them under international refugee and human rights laws and conventions, to which Jamaica is a signatory. … More Freedom Imaginaries urges Jamaican Government not to deport Haitians

Civil society strongly urges Jamaican Government to join the call for a moratorium on deep sea mining

July 11, 2023

Jamaican civil society groups and individuals are again expressing concern and urging the Jamaican Government to join them in their call for a moratorium on deep sea mining, as the International Seabed Authority begins deliberations at its downtown Kingston headquarters. While mining companies are lobbying, a growing number of countries is calling for a pause.Stay tuned for further developments as talks continue. … More Civil society strongly urges Jamaican Government to join the call for a moratorium on deep sea mining

Civil society groups urge Jamaican Government to join the call for a moratorium on deep sea mining

April 13, 2023

Jamaica Environment Trust responds to the Jamaican Government’s remarks on deep sea mining negotiations. JET and collaborators want the Government to go further and call for a moratorium on this proposed new extractive industry. … More Civil society groups urge Jamaican Government to join the call for a moratorium on deep sea mining

Congratulations to Jamaica’s Margarette May Macaulay, elected President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

March 12, 2023

Jamaican Margarette May Macaulay has been elected President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for the 2nd time. Congratulations to her! But why is the Jamaican Government so unresponsive to the Commission’s concerns about environmental and LGBTQIA+ rights? … More Congratulations to Jamaica’s Margarette May Macaulay, elected President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

“It depends on us”: Jamaica poised to join Caribbean Women in Leadership

January 25, 2023

It will be a new chapter. All the women who joined a recent planning meeting in a Kingston hotel recently agreed. The meeting was convened by Una May Gordon, who as former Principal Director of the Climate Change Division was full of an energy and drive that I greatly admired. Those qualities are still there … More “It depends on us”: Jamaica poised to join Caribbean Women in Leadership

Jamaica’s Kamina Johnson Smith launches candidature for Commonwealth Secretary-General

April 24, 2022

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, formally launched Jamaica’s candidature for Secretary-General of the Commonwealth at the Jamaica High Commission in London on 21 April, 2022. She has been doing some serious lobbying and met with some other High Commissioners in London, including those from Ghana, South Africa, Australia, Kenya, … More Jamaica’s Kamina Johnson Smith launches candidature for Commonwealth Secretary-General

Jamaica’s Kamina Johnson Smith is a candidate for Commonwealth Secretary-General (and President Kagame will visit next week)

April 2, 2022

Just last month, Jamaica received a visit from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, familiarly known as “Will and Kate.” As the eldest son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, William may become King of England one day. However, the winds of change are blowing in short, sharp gusts across the Caribbean, and the royal … More Jamaica’s Kamina Johnson Smith is a candidate for Commonwealth Secretary-General (and President Kagame will visit next week)