Japan-CARICOM Relations
Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Ishiba by Foreign Ministers of CARICOM Countries
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On December 13, 2024, commencing at 11:55 am, for approximately 10 minutes, Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru, received a courtesy call from the foreign ministers and other high-level officials of the countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), who are visiting Japan to attend the Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference, scheduled on December 14. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Prime Minister Ishiba welcomed the visit to Japan by the CARICOM foreign ministers and high-level officials, and expressed the hope that meaningful discussions with Minister Iwaya will take place at the Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference, scheduled for the following day, December 14.
- Prime Minister Ishiba also expressed his expectation that Japan and CARICOM countries work together, based on global partnership, to engage with issues affecting the international community, including maintenance of the international order and reform of international organizations, as well as address common challenges, including climate change and natural disasters.
- Antigua and Barbuda: His Excellency Daven Joseph, Ambassador and Development Commissioner, Office of the Prime Minister
- Bahamas: Hon. Frederick Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Barbados: Hon. Kerrie Symmonds, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
- Belize: Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology
- Dominica: Hon. Vince Henderson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy
- Grenada: Hon. Joseph Andall, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade & Export Development
- Guyana: Hon. Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
- Haiti: H.E. Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship
- Jamaica: Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
- Saint Christopher and Nevis: Ms. Kaye Bass, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation
- Saint Lucia: Hon. Alva Romanus Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Hon. Frederick Stephenson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Consumer Affairs
- Suriname: H.E. Mr. Albert Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation
- Trinidad and Tobago: Senator the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs
- Secretariat of CARICOM: Ms. Elizabeth Solomon, Assistant Secretary General, Foreign and Community Relations
The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the start of the Japan-CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Consultations, as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica, and Japan and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. To commemorate these events, the year 2024 has been designated as the “Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024” and commemorative projects will be implemented in Japan and CARICOM countries with the aim of deepening exchanges between Japan and CARICOM countries through the year.