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27^th February, 2017, MONTEGO BAY – St. Kitts and Nevis participated in the First High Level Meeting of CARICOM-Korea Officials, which sought to re-vitalise the relationship between CARICOM Member States and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).

 

This Meeting addressed how South Korea could partner with CARICOM Member States to alleviate pressing challenges inter alia, Climate change, Green Growth, Concessionary Financing, Security and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030).

 

South Korea has for decades, since establishing diplomatic relations with Jamaica in 1962, been and since then become a vital diplomatic ally and contributor to the development of the Region.  During the meeting, CARICOM and South Korea re-affirmed their intent to further strengthen and deepen the existing ties of both sides.  The Joint Statement of the Inaugural High-Level Meeting between the Republic of Korea and the Caribbean Community outlines the different initiatives which both sides will pursue to achieve this goal.

 

The Meeting is considered very timely at a time when Member States are facing significant challenges which often seem insurmountable, especially in the face of diminishing international aid.  However, with the assistance of development partners like South Korea, CARICOM Member States hope to advance more expeditiously, their national development agenda.

 

First Vice Minister Lim Sung-nam represented the Republic of Korea, while the CARICOM Member States were headed by the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs and H.E. Manorma Sooknandan, Deputy Secretary General of the CARICOM Commission.

 

Iberostar Hotel, Montego Bay, Jamaica was the host venue and St Kitts and Nevis were represented by Ms Kaye Bass, Permanent Secretary and Mr. Bjorn Hazel, Foreign Service Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.