Jamaica, through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), along with the African Union (AU), and the University of the West Indies (UWI), are partnering for economic advancement for the people of the region.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith made the assertion recently at the UWI, where South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor delivered a lecture.
“We are in many ways renewing and redoubling our efforts to deliver prosperity to our people, and to explore our connections,” Senator Johnson Smith said, adding that the world has a far way to go in respect of war and oppression, things that the late South African President, Nelson Mandela stood against.
“The work to achieve our economic independence, and overall human development remains a work in progress,” she stated.
Senator Johnson Smith noted that Dr. Pandor is a woman of “great distinction” who served at the forefront of the liberation struggles in South Africa.
“She is well placed to fully understand at its core, the struggles we and other developing countries continue to undergo, to realise not only our Independence, but our growth and development,” she stated.
For her part, Pro-Vice Chancelor at the UWI for Global Affairs, Sandrea Maynard said the Caribbean and Africa have been cooperating in a wide range of areas such as trade, financial services, climate change mitigation, education and social services, foreign policy, security, and migration.
