KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has issued a strategic directive to Jamaica’s diplomatic corps, emphasizing foreign policy as the cornerstone for achieving complete economic independence. Addressing heads of mission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on Wednesday, Holness declared the current decade pivotal for transforming Jamaica’s sovereignty from political autonomy to economic self-reliance.
Holness articulated that while Jamaica has maintained political sovereignty since 1962, true independence remains ‘hollow’ without fiscal credibility, institutional robustness, competitive industries, and resilience against external shocks. ‘The only way to fulfil your political objectives is to make sure that you are economically independent,’ he stated, framing economic strength as the bedrock of national sovereignty.
The Prime Minister tasked diplomats with leveraging Jamaica’s international credibility to attract investments, generate employment, and forge strategic partnerships. He emphasized their role as custodians of Jamaica’s global image, urging them to amplify the nation’s progress in macroeconomic management, post-pandemic recovery, and hurricane resilience—particularly referencing Hurricane Beryl’s devastation and the targeted reconstruction response.
Holness also highlighted national security achievements, including reduced violence and homicide rates over the past three years, and instructed diplomats to communicate these gains globally. ‘We are moving towards peace, and that’s the message you will take to the global community,’ he asserted.
This week-long consultative meeting—the first since 2018—includes 20 diplomatic and consular posts and 85 consulates. Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith characterized the gathering as an ‘internal reset’ to align foreign policy with evolving domestic and international landscapes, ensuring Jamaica’s priorities are advanced with professional conviction worldwide.