Some 23 non-resident Heads of Missions will arrive in the island this week for the 15th annual Diplomatic Week from February 3 to February 8.
They will join resident ambassadors, high commissioners and charge d’ affaires for a busy schedule of activities which will include ministerial briefings and exposure to Jamaica’s culture and cuisine.
Director of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Patricia Rodney-Evering, told JIS News that of the overseas-based diplomats, 11 are newly appointed representatives from Portugal, Uruguay, Malaysia, Republic of South Korea, Indonesia, Zambia, the Netherlands, Norway, Bulgaria, Austria and Turkey.
They will be presenting their credentials to the Governor General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, at a ceremony scheduled to take place at King’s House on Monday, February 4.
Mrs. Rodney-Evering said the letters of credence are usually presented early in order for the diplomats to “participate as fully accredited representatives of their countries”.
Diplomatic representatives are referred to as designates until they have formally presented their credentials to either the Governor General or the Prime Minister.
Diplomatic Week, celebrated since 1998, highlights the work of diplomats and their invaluable contribution to the cordial relations between states.
According to Mrs. Rodney-Evering, the week provides an opportunity for the entire diplomatic corps to meet other heads of missions and to hold bilateral meetings with the aim of advancing cooperation activities.
“So, the heads use the opportunity to travel to Jamaica to make themselves known and to start the work of representing their countries,” she said.
She added that the new diplomats, along with their resident counterparts, will be briefed on the economic and political developments in the country.
The week begins with a service of thanksgiving at the Swallowfield Chapel, Swallowfield Road, Kingston, on Sunday, February 3, starting at 10:45 a.m.
Jamaica’s cultural heritage will be highlighted at a special cultural evening to take place on Monday, February 4, at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston starting at 6:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, February 5, the diplomats will be addressed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Arnold J. Nicholson at the Office of the Prime Minister.
On the same day, there will be a luncheon hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Kingston at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel and a reception at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, hosted by the consular corps, for heads and their spouses.
On Wednesday (February 6), the diplomats will be addressed by Ministers of Finance and Planning; National Security; Science, Technology, Energy and Mining –
Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, Hon. Peter Bunting, and Hon. Phillip Paulwell, respectively.
The highlight of the week will be the black tie reception and diplomatic dinner hosted by their Excellencies, Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen on Thursday, February 7, at King’s House.
The week culminates on Friday, February 8, with a tour of the National Gallery, downtown Kingston, and an excursion to Maiden Cay, a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Port Royal.
Mrs. Rodney-Evering said that plans were well advanced for the various activities, especially the cultural evening.