St. Ann’s Bay Pursuing Sister-City Relationship with Wilmington, Delaware USA

September 6, 2026

Written byIRIEFM NEWS

Chairman of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation Mayor Councillor Michael Belnavis has underscored the significance of bolstering relationships with countries and cities across the world.

His statement comes as plans continue to establish a sister-city relationship between St. Ann’s Bay, in St. Ann Jamaica and Wilmington in Delaware, United States of America.

Mayor Belnavis led a six (6) member delegation to Wilmington from August 27-31, 2026 where they engaged in three full days of activities planned by the Sister Cities of Wilmington in collaboration with the City Council of Wilmington.

The itinerary included a tour of One Love Park and surrounding areas where St. Ann-born Reggae Icon Bob Marley resided, and the LaFate Art Gallery operated by Jamaican-American Artist Eunice LaFate.

The team also met with members of the Jamaican Diaspora and attended the Delaware Jamaican Independence Celebration at Hilton in Christiana, Newark on Sunday August 30.

Speaking at the function, Mayor Belnavis lauded Jamaicans in Delaware for keeping the Jamaican spirit alive.

He noted that many of the Jamaicans he met in Delaware hailed from St. Ann which makes the proposed twinning more relevant.

The Mayor emphasized that the partnership could result in economic and cultural benefits.

“We look forward to the twinning, we are here to create a synergy and we will be signing the declaration of the twinning,” he said.

The Resolution for the establishment of the city-twinning was presented to the delegates and the next steps are being initiated.

The Sister City Agreement will facilitate cultural exchange, mutual development and investment opportunities, while in Delaware Mayor Belnavis and his delegation also met with Mayor of Wilmington, John Carney and United States Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester who emphasized the importance of strengthening global partnerships.

Officials are hopeful that the recent visit will result in the signing of the agreement soon, making St. Ann’s Bay, the sixth (6th) city to establish ties with Wilmington.

It’s reported that St. Ann already has twinning agreements with cities including Buffalo in New York, USA, Gloucester-England, Ostróda-Poland and Owen Sound-Canada.