Policy paper

Joint Communique Inaugural Jamaica-UK Strategic Dialogue, 19 May 2023

Published 26 July 2023

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

Jamaica and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) held an Inaugural Strategic Dialogue in Kingston, Jamaica, on 19th May 2023. Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, led the Jamaican delegation, while the delegation from the UK was led by the Rt. Hon. James Cleverly MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. The Dialogue, which was preceded by the XI UK-Caribbean Forum on 18th May 2023, provides a formal framework for Jamaica – UK engagement on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.

The Ministers agreed that it was a propitious time for the Dialogue, with Jamaica and the UK having celebrated sixty years of diplomatic relations in August 2022, with the historic relationship spanning centuries. They also recalled that the milestone anniversary was suitably commemorated through the visit of the Rt. Hon. Jesse Norman MP, then UK Minister of State for the Americas and the Overseas Territories in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Exchange of Letters in October 2022.

The Ministers acknowledged that the Jamaica – UK bilateral relationship was close and productive. They also recognised that deepened partnerships and cooperation on health, security, trade and investment and climate change would benefit the UK and contribute to the sustainable development of Jamaica.

Minister Johnson Smith recognised the assistance of the Government and people of the UK in Jamaica’s efforts to contain and mitigate the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic through the donation of vaccines, surveillance support for ports of entry, psycho-social services, as well as personal protective equipment. The Minister expressed Jamaica’s interest in exploring future cooperation in the health sector to build national capacity.

Noting the need for Jamaica to be better prepared for the increasing risks of natural disasters with climate change, Minister Johnson Smith expressed the gratitude of the Jamaican Government for the £8m investments made by the UK in partnership with the Pan American Health Organisation in designing new resilience building standards and for the refurbishment of 12 health facilities across the island through the ‘SMART’ hospital programme, to make them safer, greener and better prepared to provide care in the event of a disaster. The Minister also noted with appreciation initiatives including the Catastrophe Bond, the brand-new Caribbean water utility insurance and the Systemic Risk Assessment Tool (JSRAT) supported by the Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment.

Foreign Secretary Cleverly congratulated Jamaica on the extensive leadership it provides in climate change to pioneer innovation in the reform of systems and the development of new tools that will make a global difference. He noted Jamaica’s participation in global campaigns such as the 30 by 30 Global Ocean Alliance, the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, the Leaders Pledge for Nature, the Adaptation Action Coalition, the Glasgow Declaration on Forest and Land Use, and the Green Grids Initiative. He announced a new commitment of up to £7m to leverage increased access to climate finance as part of Jamaica’s pioneering role in the Access to Finance Taskforce. Jamaica will play a key role in exploring an innovative, country platform led approach, to simplifying and scaling up international climate and nature finance provision and sharing lessons with the most climate vulnerable countries.

The Ministers recognised that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Jamaica face disproportionate climate challenges and action on adaptation and loss and damage. It was also acknowledged that seeking action to improve access to finance and on ODA eligibility was a UK priority. The Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting the SIDS climate change agenda and the Caribbean’s vital leadership in promoting reform of the international financial system, and noted that the £40m ‘Small Island Developing State Capacity and Resilience’ (SIDAR) and £36m Sustainable Blue Economies programmes announced at the 26th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP 26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow in 2021, will strengthen capacity to access funding and technical solutions.

The Ministers noted the UK’s continued commitment to supporting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) activity. They were informed of the plan of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to pre-position HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 Destroyer, and the selection of a stand-by force to provide additional HADR support if required. The MOD’s support to building capacity of defence forces across the region was also discussed. Of note are the exchange exercise programmes with the Jamaica Defence Force (Exercises CALYPSO HOP and RED STRIPE) and the embedded UK personnel in the Caribbean Military Academy in Jamaica.

The UK’s long-standing commitment to support Jamaica to counter organised crime, violence and corruption was lauded for having a noticeable impact on national security. Foreign Secretary Cleverly announced the decision of his government to approve a new £15m programme focused on improving government services to affected communities through improved coordination and evidence-based policy-making. Both parties agreed to sign a framework document signalling their intent to collaborate on this project and to complete their respective processes in accordance with applicable laws and procedures of Jamaica and the United Kingdom. They further agreed on the need to continue implementing the public health approach to violence as discussed at the recent CARICOM symposium held in Trinidad on 17-18 April. On operational security, it was determined that both countries would have enhanced technical dialogue on issues of mutual interest.

The Ministers agreed to encourage greater cooperation in trade and investment, noting that Jamaica provided a great opportunity for British businesses involved, inter alia, in tourism, mining, logistics and near-shore business process outsourcing/knowledge process outsourcing (BPO/KPO), renewable energy and agriculture. The Ministers also welcomed Jamaican investment into the UK.

The Ministers also recognised the importance of ensuring the effective functioning and positive impact of the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement, and committed to further talks on the matter, including within the framework of the Joint Institutions established by the Agreement.

The Ministers both looked forward to the forthcoming signing by the British Council, the Ministry of Education and Youth, and the National Education Trust of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in education, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), and the further strengthening of collaboration in this area.

Ministers also discussed the UK’s visa regime for Jamaica and its impact on Jamaicans travelling to and through the UK and agreed to continue dialogue on this matter. In this 75th anniversary year, Jamaica and the UK celebrate the significant contribution of the Windrush Generation to the growth and development of both the UK and Jamaica, and welcomed plans for the recognition of the anniversary through activities in both countries. The Ministers acknowledged the issues arising from the Windrush developments in 2017, and the steps taken to date by the UK Government to address this matter. Both agreed on the need to ensure that the commitments made in this regard continue to be honoured in a timely manner.

Foreign Secretary Cleverly also informed Minister Johnson Smith that the UK intended to accept Jamaica’s accession to the 1980 Hague Convention. It was noted that this will provide an effective mechanism to return children wrongfully abducted from the UK to Jamaica, and vice versa.

The Ministers shared deep concern about Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. They called on Russia to cease the destruction wrought on Ukraine and its people and for the Russian Federation to withdraw its troops. They also stressed their unwavering commitment to international law and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, and agreed to continue cooperation in multilateral fora, including the Commonwealth.

They also acknowledged the need for urgent international action to address the worsening situation in Haiti.

Minister Johnson Smith, in closing, reiterated Jamaica’s appreciation for the UK’s assistance to nation building, noting in particular the Chevening scholarship scheme, and other opportunities for people-to-people exchanges. She looked forward to ongoing collaboration in this regard. The Minister also called on the UK to partner with Jamaica in its transition towards greater economic independence, as a means to build the resilience of and promote prosperity for the Jamaican people.

Foreign Secretary Cleverly, in closing, thanked Minister Johnson Smith for her warm welcome, and offered that the next iteration of the Strategic Dialogue takes place in London.

The Dialogue concluded with the signing of an Aide Memoire for the UK-Jamaica Violence Prevention Partnership.