News
JAM | Oct 2, 2024

Jamaica set to join India’s Global Biofuels Alliance

/ Our Today

administrator
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Invited to be founding member IRIS and CDRI 

(L-R) Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica

Durrant Pate/ Contributor

Jamaica has signalled its intention to join the Global Biofuels Alliance, pioneered by the Indian government.

Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, who is now on an official visit to India, made the announcement this morning at the end of bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi. In its thrust towards energy diversification and to solidify cooperation in this area, Holness announced Jamaica’s intention to join the Global Biofuels Alliance.

On energy security, Holness emphasized that Jamaica shares India’s goal to diversify its energy mix by 2030, saying, “our shared interests, premised on our respective national targets to diversify our energy mix by 2030, provide a platform for deeper cooperation in this sphere.” 

Strengthen cooperation with India in various sectors 

He expressed Jamaica’s desire to strengthen cooperation with India in various sectors, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), education, digitalisation, security, and energy adding, “We recognise the remarkable strides made by your government in STEM education and digitalisation. We look forward to learning from India as a beacon of technological advancement…”

According to him, “India positions itself as the knowledge capital of the world… We recognise the remarkable strides made by your government in STEM education and digitalisation. We look forward to learning from India as a beacon of technological advancement.” 

Jamaica’s interest in Indian technology 

FILE PHOTO: Prime Minister Andrew Holness addressing the contract-signing ceremony for the new St. Catherine North Divisional Headquarters of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), at the Office of the Prime Minister on July 23, 2024. (OUR TODAY photo)

The Jamaican Prime Minister highlighted his country’s interest in India’s technology-driven security solutions to enhance national security and border security, arguing, “in light of my administration’s effort to enhance the safety and security of our citizens with a focus on strengthening the national security infrastructure and enhancing border security, we see India, a global leader in technology-driven security solutions, as a natural ally.” 

He says, “Jamaica is uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and therefore regards any effort to deal with this existential threat as worthy of support and commendation. For this reason, Jamaica is proud to have been invited by Prime Minister Modi to be a founding member of the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States, the IRIS, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the CDRI.” 

India and Jamaica share strong historical and cultural linkages, reflected in their shared colonial past, values of democracy and freedom, and passion for cricket.

Comments

What To Read Next

News JAM Apr 14, 2026

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe National Water Commission (NWC) is advising customers in sections of Salt Marsh in Trelawny that restoration works on the affected pipeline network are progressing steadily following damage sustained during recent weather events.

The Commission notes that concerns regarding the integrity of sections of the pipeline were identified prior to the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Subsequent post-event assessments confirmed that approximately 3 kilometres of pipeline infrastructure were significantly impacted, necessitating extensive rehabilitation works. It is worth noting that while the substantial part of Martha Brae- Salt Marsh area has been restored, more time and resources is necessary to restore pockets of the network such as this one.

News JAM Apr 14, 2026

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says restrictions on firearms at entertainment venues will soon be implemented as part of measures to strengthen public safety, following a shooting incident at a post-Carnival event in St Andrew on Sunday night.

Three people were shot and injured during the Big Wall Revolution event at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, including popular podcaster Jhaedee Richards, also known as “Jaii Frais”, a United States citizen and a member of dancehall artist 450’s entourage.