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JAM | May 6, 2022

Singapore throws support behind Jamaica’s bid for Commonwealth Secretary General

/ Our Today

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Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade.

The Republic of Singapore has reportedly affirmed its support for Jamaica’s candidature for the post of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

According to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Government of Singapore formally confirmed its backing of the candidature of Senator Kamina Johnson Smith for appointment to that office in a diplomatic note.

Johnson Smith is Jamaica’s minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade.

LETTER OF APPRECIATION

In the diplomatic note, the Government of Singapore is said to have expressed its confidence that, “with
Minister Johnson Smith’s strong credentials and leadership experience, she is well placed to lead the Commonwealth to greater heights.”

In a letter of appreciation addressed to the Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Johnson
Smith conveyed her appreciation for the expression of confidence in her to lead the Commonwealth.

The Jamaican and Singaporean foreign ministers recently had an opportunity for a bilateral engagement in New York City.

ENGAGEMENT ON ISSUES OF INTEREST

They committed to continue strong bilateral and multilateral engagement on issues of interest to their two countries, including those within the family of Commonwealth Nations.

Additionally, Johnson Smith was a special guest panellist at the Forum of Small States (FOSS) Informal
High-Level Round Table on ‘Small States, Multilateralism and International Law”, chaired by Singapore.

This latest endorsement comes after Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Wednesday confirmed his nation’s support for Johnson Smith’s candidature.

“Minister Johnson Smith is pleased that her candidature continues to receive very strong support and has re-affirmed her commitment to ‘lead and manage transparently and efficiently the responsibilities entrusted to the Commonwealth Secretariat, working within an effective results-based management framework’.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

“Minister Johnson Smith is pleased that her candidature continues to receive very strong support and has re-affirmed her commitment to ‘lead and manage transparently and efficiently the responsibilities entrusted to the Commonwealth Secretariat, working within an effective results-based management framework’,” the ministry said.

The decision regarding the appointment of a Secretary General of the Commonwealth will be made at the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (CHOGM) which will be hosted by Rwanda in Kigali in the week of June 20.

READ: Maldives declares support for Johnson Smith as Commonwealth Secretary-General

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