Jamaica announces Kamina Smith as candidature for Commonwealth Secretary-General

Jamaica: The Government is pleased to announce the candidature of senator and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade – Kamina Johnson Smith for the post of Secretary-General of the nation.

According to the notice shared by the Jamaican Government, the appointment decision would be taken during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, scheduled between June 20 and June 25, 2022, in Rwanda.

Jamaica’s who is first female Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade – Johnson Smith, firstly appointed in 2016, is perfectly qualified for the post. The leader has been appointed for many posts, including Chair of the CARIFORUM Council on Trade and Economic Development and President of the OACPS Council of Ministers and the CARICOM.

She has also represented Jamaica at various national as well as international platforms and at numerous bilateral, regional, hemispheric and international encounters. She was the foreign Minister to participate in the G7 and G20 ministerial meetings.

While praising the Minister, Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated, “The Government has every confidence in Minister’s abilities to build bridges and consensus that would bring governments and peoples to a common understanding.

Her qualification for the post of Secretary-General and commitment to the work of the Commonwealth make her an excellent candidate. The Government is confident that she will bring a wealth of experience to the position and is committed to international public Service, with Special regard for sustainable development, gender, and small states’ interests, which will contribute significantly to the work of the organisation towards 2.5 billion citizens of the Commonwealth.”

Minister Smith is also an attorney-at-law and had previously worked with a private firm and corporate in-house counsel. She knows French as a foreign language and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art in French. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a Master’s degree in Commercial Law.

While expressing the pleasure, the Minister noted, “I am deeply honoured and supremely humbled to have been nominated as Jamaica’s candidate for Commonwealth Secretary General. It would be a privilege to serve this great Family of Nations. Giving thanks tonight for all the support expressed as this journey starts.”