Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, GOJ

His Excellency John Concannon, Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Jamaica, is the latest Head of Mission to be welcomed to the Diplomatic Corps in Kingston. His accreditation to the island follows the presentation of Credentials to His Excellency the Governor-General and his Copy Letters of Credence and Recall to Foreign Minister Senator the Honourable @kaminajsmith. 1/2

The exchange comes alongside commemorative activities led by Jamaica’s Ambassador to Mexico, Her Excellency Julia Hyatt, including a photographic exhibition and documentary on Port Royal. These bring into focus the shared work between both countries to document, preserve and interpret the history of Port Royal, including its submerged remains and the stories they continue to reveal. 🇯🇲🤝🇲🇽 #mfaftja

An exchange of letters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade added a formal note to the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and the United Mexican States, with both sides using the occasion to reflect on a partnership shaped by cooperation, cultural exchange and shared interests. Foreign Minister @kaminajsmith and Mexico’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Roberto Canseco Martínez, exchanged messages on behalf of their respective Governments and people, outlining how each country views the relationship at this point in history. Minister of State, Honourable Alando Terrelonge and Permanent Secretary Ambassador Sheila Sealy Monteith were also in attendance. Jamaica described the milestone as a reminder of an enduring bond built over six decades, pointing to sustained cooperation in culture, education and security, alongside strong engagement in trade, investment and tourism. The message also acknowledged Mexico’s support following Hurricane Melissa and proposed convening the 11th Jamaica–Mexico Permanent Binational Commission in Kingston later this year. Mexico’s message traced the relationship to its establishment in 1966, noting how it has evolved through political dialogue, economic cooperation and cultural exchange, and expressed confidence that ties between both countries will continue to deepen in the years ahead. 1/2 #mfaftja

Diplomatic Days 2026 saw new representation being accredited to Jamaica on #Day1. Foreign Minister @kaminajsmith welcomed seven new diplomats on March 17, just moments before convening a series of bilateral discussions aimed at advancing Jamaica’s international partnerships. Here’s a recap. #mfaftja

Ambassador-designate Yılmaz presented his Letters of Credence to His Excellency the Governor-General at King’s House, formally accrediting him to the island. Jamaica and Türkiye established diplomatic relations in 1971. #mfaftja

Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Türkiye to Jamaica, Mr. Aytaç Yılmaz, on March 17 presented Copy Letters of Credence and Recall to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable @kaminajsmith, in Kingston. During a brief exchange, both countries signalled an interest in building a more active and outcome-driven partnership. Minister Johnson Smith also noted Türkiye’s role as President of #COP31 this year and pointed to upcoming policy briefings at the Ministry as a timely opportunity to advance shared priorities on climate action, including through discussions with Minister of Water, the Environment and Climate Change, Honourable @matthewsamuda, who is also President of the United Nations Environment Assembly #UNEA8. 1/2

The Foreign Minister acknowledged the steady progress in bilateral relations since their establishment on November 6, 1998, and pointed to opportunities to further expand cooperation in tourism, health and capacity building. Jamaica and Rwanda are also expected to engage in bilateral talks at the Ministry as activities for Diplomatic Days 2026 get underway. Mr. Ngoga was formally accredited to the island on March 17. #mfaftja

Foreign Minister Senator the Honourable @kaminajsmith, on Tuesday (March 17) received Copy Letters of Credence and Recall from High Commissioner-designate of the Republic of Rwanda to Jamaica, Mr. Martin Ngoga, who is among the latest Heads of Mission accredited to the island in recent days. In welcoming the High Commissioner-designate, Minister Johnson Smith reiterated Jamaica’s deep appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Rwanda for its support following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, including the donation of US$1 million in support of recovery efforts. As a further expression of solidarity, Rwanda also deployed a 101-member contingent of military engineers to assist the @jdfsolider with the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure. 1/2

The discussion also addressed shared priorities in sustainable development, including climate resilience and continued advocacy in international fora. Jamaica welcomed Malta’s longstanding support for the interests of Small Island Developing States #SIDS and expressed optimism for continued engagement in advancing climate action aligned with efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. The Maltese Envoy is Non-Resident High Commissioner to Jamaica, based in Valletta, Malta. #mfaftja

The Republic of Malta has introduced its first High Commissioner to Jamaica. The introduction follows the Presentation of Credentials by Mr. George Borg, to His Excellency the Governor-General and Copy Letters of Credence to Foreign Minister @kaminajsmith earlier today. This morning (March 17), Foreign Minister Johnson welcomed the appointment as a vital step towards advancing cooperation between Kingston and Valletta. Some areas identified for bilateral engagement included social protection, tourism and The Women, Peace and Security Agenda. 1/2

Services offered by the Ministry to the public will be temporarily suspended for two hours on Wednesday, March 18. Operations will resume at 2:00 p.m. Members of the public are kindly asked to take note and plan accordingly. We apologise for any inconvenience this brief suspension may cause.

In extending a warm welcome, the Minister reflected on the steady strengthening of relations between Jamaica and Qatar and expressed confidence in continued bilateral engagement. She noted that Jamaica and Qatar will commemorate 23 years of diplomatic relations on June 27 and pointed to the occasion as another opportunity to further deepen cooperation. Discussions this morning also explored prospects for collaboration in trade and investment, energy, tourism, and development support, alongside efforts to strengthen institutional and people-to-people linkages. The Ambassador-designate was formally accredited to the island following his Presentation of Credentials to His Excellency the Governor-General at King’s House on March 17. 2/2

The Government of Jamaica today welcomed Ambassador-designate of the State of Qatar, Mr. Tariq Othman Al-Othman, who presented Copies of Letters of Credence and Recall to Foreign Minister Senator the Honourable @kaminajsmith. 1/2

The Foreign Minister extended a warm welcome, noting that Jamaica and Greece will mark 51 years of diplomatic relations on May 15, 2026. She expressed confidence that ties between both countries will continue to deepen in the years ahead and reaffirmed a shared commitment to advancing relations for the mutual benefit of Jamaicans and Greeks. The Minister also referenced the twinning agreement signed in February 2023 between Montego Bay and Sitia in Greece, noting that both coastal cities face similar challenges and share common priorities. In that context, she pointed to opportunities for practical cooperation in education, agricultural technology and tourism. Later today, the Ambassador-designate will present his Letters of Credence and Recall to His Excellency, the Governor-General, at King’s House. 2/2

Ambassador-designate of the Hellenic Republic of Greece to Jamaica, Mr. Efthymios Efthymiades, today presented Copy Letters of Credence and Recall to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable @kaminajsmith. 1/2

The initiative was advanced through ongoing engagement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the German Embassy in Kingston. Germany’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Jan Hendrik van Thiel (@germanyinjamaica), formally handed over the equipment this morning. The contribution forms part of Germany’s continued support to Jamaica, including the recent donation of more than 30 tonnes of emergency relief supplies following Hurricane Melissa. Minister Johnson Smith expressed appreciation for the partnership, noting that cooperation with international partners remains an important element of Jamaica’s efforts to strengthen the resilience and capacity of its health sector. 2/2 #mfaftja

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable @kaminajsmith today joined Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. the Honourable @christufton at the Office of the Prime Minister for the handover of 21 patient monitors donated to Jamaica by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. The equipment will support the Ministry of Health and Wellness in strengthening hospital care and clinical monitoring, as the health system continues to rebuild following Hurricane Melissa, which caused extensive damage to several health facilities. 1/2 #mfaftja

Foreign Minister Senator the Honourable @kaminajsmith, joined Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable @Babsy_grange , for the opening ceremony at the historic site on Friday (March 13). The project fulfils a commitment conveyed earlier this year during the official visit to Jamaica by Ghana’s Foreign Minsiter Honourbale Samuel Ablakwa, who signalled Ghana’s intent to establish the monument in recognition of the shared heritage between the peoples of Jamaica 🇯🇲 and Ghana 🇬🇭. The houses were constructed by the Ghana Army Engineer Reconstruction Team, who have been stationed in Jamaica since December 18, 2025, to support reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Melissa. The team has been working alongside the @jdfsoldier to repair roofs across several communities devastated by the hurricane. The newly built African-style houses will now form part of the guided tour at the Seville Great House and Heritage Park in St. Ann. 2/2

Two traditional African houses have been built at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann and now serve as a monument to the shared heritage linking Jamaica and Ghana. The structures were constructed as a gift from the Government and people of the Republic of Ghana and reflect the historical ties linking Jamaica to the Gold Coast, including present-day Ghana, from where many Africans who arrived on the island during the transatlantic slave trade originated. At Seville, one of the earliest locations in the region to receive a steady flow of Africans during that period, the houses now provide a tangible representation of that history. 1/2