The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to promote collaboration in several areas.

Aimed at advancing the Jamaica-Japan Partnership Initiative, the MOC, signed at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, will seek to address issues such as disaster risk management; climate change; civil security; economic development; women, peace and security (WPS); and maritime and oceanic Issues.

The MOC is not a legally binding agreement, so it does not mandate the transfer of financial or material resources between the GOJ and JICA. The partnership should remain in effect for five years and may be renewed for an equivalent duration, unless terminated by either party.

Following the signing, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke, underscored that Japan has been a trusted and committed supporter of Jamaica.

“Japan, although an industrialised country, shares a sensitivity [and] vulnerability to climatic events and adverse geological occurrences. Japan has developed an advanced means and methods of adapting and mitigating the vulnerabilities that it faces,” he remarked.

“Jamaica, no doubt, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl is reminded yet again of the vulnerabilities that we face and the need to plan and prepare in advance for the damage that can be caused by these natural disaster events. Jamaica has advanced a multilayered disaster risk financing framework, with the cooperation of multilayered partners, and we are pleased that one of the main areas of this memorandum of cooperation has to do with disaster risk management,” the minister added.

Minister Clarke also mentioned that the signing of this MOU will allow Jamaica to establish a contingent emergency credit facility that will be triggered in the event of a natural disaster. This will be added to the existing suite of instruments for Jamaica.

State minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge, who also spoke at the signing ceremony, mentioned the significance of the event.

“The memorandum of cooperation that we will sign today, aptly identifies critical areas for cooperation in the sectors that are at the core of our vision for Jamaica’s development. For this reason, we look forward to working with JICA in the areas of security, including community policing and maritime security; disaster risk management; energy efficiency; and tourism crisis management, so that we can build a lasting legacy for this and succeeding generations,” he stated.

“We look forward to its [MOC] effective implementation and stand ready to ‘Gemba’ (dive into the field) with JICA and its invaluable volunteers, who continue to make such a difference in the lives of ordinary citizens,” Minister Terrelonge further noted.

The MOC signing marks the first time that a president of JICA has visited Jamaica.

Dr Akihiko Tanaka, president of Japan International Cooperation Agency, express optimism that the Government of Jamaica is ready for advancement in the priority areas since both countries share core values of human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

“On the basis of this MOC, JICA will continue to promote cooperation with Jamaica for the benefit of the Jamaican people and strive to cultivate an even richer partnership between Japan and Jamaica over the next 60 years,” he said.

The visit to Jamaica by the President of the JICA coincides with the 60^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Japan, the 30^th Anniversary of the Japan-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Friendship Year and the 35^th Anniversary of JICA’s presence in Jamaica.