Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen received Letters of Credence from two (2) High Commissioners and eight (8) non-Resident Ambassadors and in a hybrid ceremony at King’s House on Wednesday, 9th March 2022. The Representatives are from a cross section of regions and reflect the reach and diversity of Jamaica’s diplomatic relations.
Ambassador Ricardo Allicock, Director of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT), presented the Credentials to The Governor-General on behalf of the High Commissioners and Ambassadors.
These were:
His Excellency Dr. Ivan Šimonović
Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia
His Excellency Suh Jeong-in
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea
His Excellency Henricus Abram Strating
Ambassador of the Kingdom of The Netherlands
His Excellency Dr. Eamonn McKee
Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland
His Excellency Lakshitha Pradeep Ratnayake
High Commissioner for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
His Excellency Vehbi Esgel Etensel
Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey
His Excellency Seyed Mohammed Hadi Sobhani
Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Her Excellency Ms. Sylvia Meier-Kajbic
Ambassador of the Republic of Austria
His Excellency Kallayana Vipattipumprates
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand
His Excellency Samuel Yaw Nsiah
High Commissioner for the Republic of Ghana
Addressing the newly-appointed Diplomats, The Governor-General extended congratulations and encouraged them to visit Jamaica, reiterating the value that Jamaica places on its relations with their respective countries and “our strong desire to see those maximized during your tenure as High Commissioners Ambassadors and accredited to us.”
The Presentation of Credentials was a major activity during Diplomatic Week, which took place 8th to 10th March under the theme, “Reigniting a Nation: Global Excellence, our Mission”.
Hosted by the Foreign Ministry, which is also celebrating its 60th anniversary, Diplomatic Week culminated on Thursday 10th March with a Dinner for the members of the Resident Diplomatic Corps, which was hosted by Their Excellencies The Governor-General and the Most Honourable Lady Allen.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dinner was restricted to the Resident Diplomats as the non-Resident Representatives were unable to visit Jamaica at this time.