Role of the Jamaican High Commission
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June 20161 HIGH COMMISSION FOR JAMAICA PORT OF SPAIN INSIDE: Role of the High Commission ……………1 Meet the New Foreign Minister ………….2 Role of the Jamaican High Commission Bilateral Relations: …………………....3-10 Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago The High Commission for Jamaica in Trinidad and Tobago is accredited to some Consular Corner………………….......11-14 sixteen countries across the Caribbean region and is committed to: Diaspora Engagement ………………15-20 Deepening bilateral relations and cooperation in countries under our Meeting with UWI Students……………..21 jurisdiction; Regional Meetings and Activities Protecting the interest of Jamaican nationals; 21st ACS Ministerial Council……..22-23 Providing consular services to Jamaicans and persons visiting Jamaica; 27th Meeting of CARICOM Heads…..24 Engaging the Jamaican Diaspora; 4th Meeting of the Caribbean ……….25 Monitoring and reporting on political and socio-economic developments; Development Roundtable Identifying opportunities for increased trade and investment; and th 26 Session of the Caribbean ……...26 Promoting Jamaican creative industries such as art, film, fashion, cuisine, Development & Cooperation music, and theatre. Committee (CDCC) & the Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean (ECLAC) 19th COFCOR…………………………27 VII ACS Summit ……………………...28 Cultural Activities …………………….29-34 International Spotlight on Jamaica …… 35 Expo Jamaica 2016……………………...36 Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago established diplomatic relations in 1963. Both countries have worked together in the context of CARICOM as founding members, Tribute to H.E. Paul Robotham…….…...37 in various regional and multilateral fora and at the bilateral level. Tribute to Professor Norman ……….38-39 Girvan In recent times, work has been conducted through bilateral consultations between Staff Corner …………………………..40-43 both countries, with a view to the continuous enhancement of relations. Jamaica Yellow Fever Advisory ………..44 General Information ……………………..45 2 Meet the New Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade On Tuesday, 8th March 2016, International Women’s Day, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith assumed duties as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Senator Johnson Smith is the first woman in the history of Jamaica to hold this portfolio and the first Foreign Minister to be born after Jamaica’s Independence in 1962. Academic Background Bachelor of Arts in French and International Relations, University of the West Indies Bachelor of Laws Degree, University of the West Indies Senator the Honourable Kamina Master of Laws in Commercial Law, London School of Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Economics and Political Science Affairs and Foreign Trade Certificate in Legal and Diplomatic French, Guadeloupe Certificate in Negotiation, Harvard Law School Hobbies Sports, Yoga, Reading and Dance. Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, meets with High Commissioner David Prendergast during his visit to Kingston on 11th March 2016. 3 Bilateral Relations: Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago Senator the Honorable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Jamaica, meets briefly with Senator the Honorable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry of Trinidad and Tobago, at the Piarco International Airport on 11th May 2016. EXCERPT FROM STATEMENT BY SENATOR THE HONORABLE KAMINA JOHNSON SMITH, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE, JAMAICA ON "TREATMENT OF JAMAICAN NATIONALS TRAVELLING TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO” Mr. President, Let me now address recent developments surrounding the treatment of Jamaican nationals travelling to Trinidad and Tobago within the framework of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). We note that 326 Jamaicans were refused entry to Trinidad and Tobago during 2015. In the first quarter of this year (Jan – March 2016), 113 Jamaicans were denied entry to that country. Several of them complained, via public media, of mistreatment both at the Immigration point as well as during their stay overnight at the Piarco International Airport while awaiting a return flight to Jamaica on the following day. Jamaica has sought to deal with the issue at both the bilateral and regional levels... th In a letter dated 27 April, Minister Moses advised me of certain steps to be taken by his Administration, by the latest July 2016, to improve the situation at the Piarco International Airport. These include: (i) the convening in June 2016 of a customer service training workshop for airport staff, including immigration officials and other frontline employees, such as security and other airport personnel who interact on a daily basis with passengers, including those who are denied entry and detained overnight while awaiting return; and (ii) retro-fitting of a dedicated facility at the airport where persons, including Jamaicans, can be appropriately accommodated overnight while awaiting return flights to their countries of origin. Minister Moses also indicated that there are on-going improvements of the facilities at the Piarco International Airport for in-transit passengers in general. The response by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is viewed as an initial positive step towards dealing with the issue of free movement, which has dominated Jamaica’s bilateral relations with that country over the last few years. Minister Moses has assured me of his continued personal involvement in addressing the issues and commitment to treat with any further problems that may arise… 4 Bilateral Relations: Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago The Most Hon. Andrew Holness and the Hon. Keith Rowley, Prime Ministers of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago respectively, held a bilateral meeting in Havana, Cuba on 4th June 2016. Issues discussed included immigration, petroleum pricing and other matters relating to CARICOM. High Commissioner David Prendergast addresses High Commissioner David Prendergast prepares to immigration matters between Jamaica and Trinidad address immigration matters between Jamaica and and Tobago on C-TV News, 15th April 2016. Trinidad and Tobago with Journalist Mr. Vashan Brown of Television Jamaica- TVJ, 22nd April 2016. 5 Bilateral Relations: Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago~ Sport On 4th April 2016 H.E. David Prendergast paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Darryl Smith, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, to discuss forging a better relationship between the two countries in the field of sport. 6 Bilateral Relations: Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago~ Campaign Finance Reform Strengthen Relations Jamaican experts participated in and made valuable contributions to the Forum on Campaign Finance Reform, convened by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of Spain, during the period 18th-19th May 2016. Professor the Hon. Errol Miller, O.J., C.D., former Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica and Ms. Pauline Welsh, Director, Legal Affairs, Research & Development of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, shared experiences, best practices and perspectives on Campaign Finance Reform. Jamaican national Dr. Tres-Anne Kremer, a Political Adviser for the Craibbean and Pacific Region in the Commonwealth Secretariat, also presented on behalf of the Secretariat at the Forum. Deputy Speaker, Mr Esmond Forde, MP, shows Jamaican Dr. Tres-Ann Kremer (left) and Ms. Clara Cole (right), from the Commonwealth Secretariat, around the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament Chamber. Both ladies had participated in the Forum on Campaign Finance Reform. 7 Official Visit of the Hon. Olivia Grange Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports th th 8 -10 June 2016 The Honourable Olivia Grange, M.P. was a featured presenter at the Caribbean Creative Industries Management th Unit Workshop, held at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on 9 June 2016. Minister Grange pointed out that through collaboration with neighbouring territories, Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean would be able to enhance their cultural and creative industries, which will contribute to the growth and development of the region. While in Trinidad and Tobago, Minister Grange also held bilateral talks with her counterpart Ministers- the Hon. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, and the Hon. Darryl Smith, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs. Minister Grange also engaged in talks with celebrated Carnival Artist Designer Mr. Peter Minshall. Discussions focused on possible collaboration on the staging of Jamaica’s upcoming Independence Grand Gala celebrations. 8 Bilateral Relations: Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago~ Community Tourism L-R: Mrs. Marguerite Diana McIntyre Pike, Jamaican Tourism Consultant/Trainer Co- Jamaican Tourism Consultant/Trainer Mrs. ordinator and Michele Celestine, Marguerite Diana McIntyre-Pike pays a courtesy call Coordinator, National Heritage Trust on High Commissioner David Prendergast. Programme, Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaican Tourism Consultant/Trainer Mrs. Marguerite Diana McKintyre-Pike presented in the Second th st Caribbean Conference of National Trusts and Preservation Societies which was held from 19 -21 May 2016 at the Hilton Hotel, Trinidad and Tobago. Mrs. McKintyre-Pike is no stranger to the Twin Island Republic as just last year she spearheaded rural community tourism training in the community of Lopinot. This was organized by the Lopinot Countrystyle Community Tourism Heritage Village with support from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. As pointed out by Ms. Michele