(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) - CARICOM foreign ministers are in Japan from 12-14 December to consolidate long-standing cooperation and a year of robust engagement with Japan.

The Eighth CARICOM-Japan Ministerial Meeting which will be held on 14 December in Tokyo, Japan, culminates the CARICOM-Japan Friendship Year 2024. The year marks three decades of friendship between the Community and Japan, and 60 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago respectively.

Foreign Minister of Dominica and Chair of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), Hon. Dr Vince Henderson said that the exchange in Japan will strengthen bilateral cooperation in energy, climate change, disaster management, oceans and the marine environment, food security, human security, as well as women, peace and security.

Speaking at a welcome lunch hosted by the State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, His Excellency Mr. Miyaji Takuma, the COFCOR Chair stated,

“Each year, the friendship between CARICOM and Japan grows stronger, fuelled by renewed cooperation and expanding partnerships. As our longstanding ties deepen, these bonds of friendship will propel our progress,”

Explaining CARICOM’s foreign policy principles in its outreach to third states, Dr Henderson said it seeks to advance an exemplary South-South cooperation model based on strong, mutually beneficial relationships with key partners and responsible members of the global community.

In line with these principles, he said CARICOM has endeavoured to strengthen its diplomatic relations with nations such as Japan, to promote foreign policy rooted in mutual trust and understanding.

As immense political tensions at the international level threaten global peace and security, Dr Henderson noted that it is vital for the Community to stand united with international partners such as Japan.