TOKYO, Japan, CMC – Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) Secretary Common Dr. Carla Barnett Tuesday ended a two-day go to to Japan, holding discussions with high-level authorities officers and collaborating within the launch of the CARICOM-Japan Friendship 12 months 2024.3.26
The 12 months 2024 was designated CARICOM-Japan Friendship 12 months to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the primary Japan-CARICOM session and the sixtieth anniversary of building diplomatic relations between Japan, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively.
Talking on the reception right here on Tuesday to mark the event, Barnett mentioned Japan has remained an vital associate for the 15-member regional integration motion.
“We connect nice worth to the enduring bonds of friendship solid through the years. Our partnership is constructed on a basis of mutual respect, shared values, and a real need to collaborate for the good thing about our peoples,” the Secretary-Common mentioned.
Japan’s International Affairs Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, mentioned Japan and CARICOM international locations are important companions, sharing values and rules in a global scenario the place cooperation amongst such international locations is turning into extra important than ever.
Up to now, CARICOM and Japan have held one summit, seven ministerial conferences, and 19 consultations between senior officers.
In her deal with, the Secretary-Common famous that technical cooperation had offered important help to CARICOM in small and medium-sized enterprises, agriculture and fisheries, data know-how, environmental conservation, catastrophe administration, local weather change, vitality, tradition, and tourism.
“Whereas the main focus of CARICOM-Japan relations has primarily been on technical cooperation by the CARICOM-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Fund (JCFCF) and the Japan Worldwide Cooperation Company (JICA), collaboration and help have additionally been offered on the multilateral degree.
“On this regard, I admire Japan for supporting the group through the years on the vulnerability of small islands and low-lying coastal creating states (SIDS). Your management in recognizing vulnerability as an vital criterion for concessional financing and transferring away from GDP per capita as the one customary has been a lot welcomed,” she added.
Barnett additionally highlighted the cultural and abilities change packages, which she mentioned shaped vital parts of CARICOM-Japan relations.
“The Japan Change and Educating (JET) Programme, the scholarship program for analysis college students, and the CARICOM-Japan Younger Diplomats Change are examples of people-to-people exchanges that strengthen relations in any respect ranges.
”Our cultural hyperlinks proceed to deepen, as signaled by the recognition of Caribbean music and our merchandise, together with rum and low in Japan and the rising recognition of Japanese delicacies within the Caribbean,” Barnett mentioned.
Up to now, greater than 800 members from the area have benefited from the Japan-CARICOM Change Programme for Younger Diplomats (JUNTOS). Fifteen CARICON nationals are presently collaborating in this system.
Barnett was accompanied by the CARICOM Assistant Secretary-Common for International and Neighborhood Relations, Elizabeth Solomon.
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