Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, formally launched Jamaica’s candidature for Secretary-General of the Commonwealth in London, United Kingdom, today (April 21).

She says she has been provided with the opportunity to engage with members of the board of governors, to listen to their views and interests and to solicit support from stakeholders.

Mrs. Johnson Smith pledges, if appointed, to lead the secretariat in re-energizing the delivery of meaningful support to all commonwealth member states.

She adds that she was pleased to share her profile and candidature statement with the membership in bilateral meetings in the days prior, and will continue to do so.

The minister notes that, “to date, Jamaica has made outreach to member states at the highest level, to colleagues in capitals in which Jamaica maintains

Diplomatic missions, as well as directly with the capitals of Commonwealth countries.

Following the conclusion of her activities in London tomorrow, Mrs. Johnson Smith heads to New York to participate in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Forum on financing for development follow-up, where she will deliver Jamaica’s national statement and also use the opportunity to lobby for the candidature.

A decision on the appointment of a Secretary-General is to be made during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kigali, Rwanda from June 20 to 25 this year.