CARICOM welcomes opportunity to engage new Government of Japan

(Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) - The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) welcomes the opportunity to engage with the new government of Japan early in its tenure, Dr the Hon. Vince Henderson, Chair of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) and the Foreign Minister of Dominica, said recently in Tokyo, Japan.

Dr Henderson was at the time speaking at a welcome reception on 12 December at the Iikura Guest House ahead of the Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial Conference which took place on 14 December in Toyko.

The reception hosted by the new Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Takeshi Iwaya was attended by the foreign ministers and other high-level officials from 14 CARICOM countries as well as distinguished guests from Japan.

A toast to Japan-CARICOM relations by Ms. Eri Arfiya, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs. Photo credit - Cabinet Public Affairs Office of Japan

Dr. Henderson highlighted key milestones in CARICOM-Japan relations, including a 2014 Heads of Government Summit, seven Ministerial Meetings, and 19 technical cooperation engagements. These efforts have fostered developments in various sectors such as Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, trade fairs, agriculture, fisheries, information technology, environmental conservation, disaster risk reduction, climate change, energy, culture, and tourism, Dr. Henderson stated.

He stressed the importance of continuing to support adaptive engagement frameworks, particularly the Japan-CARICOM Friendship and Cooperation Fund, as a vital mechanism for addressing regional challenges.

A handshake of goodwill between Dr the Hon. Vince Henderson (L) and Mr. Takeshi Iwaya (R). Photo credit - Cabinet Public Affairs Office of Japan.

Minister Iwaya also highlighted the strong partnership between Japan and CARICOM countries despite their geographical distance. He expressed optimism for productive discussions at the Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference and reaffirmed Japan's commitment to ongoing cooperation with CARICOM in the international arena.

The Japanese Foreign Minister affirmed Japan’s CARICOM Policy, which defines three pillars of cooperation with the Community namely:

• cooperation towards sustainable development including overcoming vulnerabilities particular to Small Island Developing States (SIDS),
• deepening and expanding bonds founded on exchanges and friendship, and
• cooperation in addressing challenges confronting the international community.

He underscored the importance of people-to-people connections in fostering friendship and cooperation, noting that Japan hopes to expand these exchanges over the next decade.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Eri Arfiya, who attended the meeting with Minister Iwaya, also welcomed the foreign ministers and other high-level officials of CARICOM countries.

Ahead of the CARICOM-Japan Ministerial Conference, Foreign Ministers paid a courtesy call on the new Prime Minister of Japan, the Hon. Ishiba Shigeru. The Prime Minister affirmed Japan-CARICOM partnership and the importance of their cooperation in the international arena.

Ms. Elizabeth Solomon, Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, led the CARICOM delegation at the Conference. On December 13, she held bilateral talks with Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Takuma Miyaji. They emphasized the commitment of CARICOM and Japan to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperate internationally.

Assistant Secretary-General Elizabeth Solomon (L) in bilateral talks with Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Takuma Miyaji (1st, R). Photo credit - Cabinet Public Affairs Office of Japan.