The Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, currently taking place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, has reached a record-breaking number of registrants, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith.
Johnson Smith announced that over 1,100 individuals have registered for the event, surpassing the government’s target of 1,000 participants.
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Addressing attendees at the welcome cocktail reception, Johnson Smith celebrated the milestone and highlighted the event’s significance. The conference, now in its 10th staging, will run until Wednesday.
“This is our largest number of sponsors ever and our largest marketplace ever,” Johnson Smith stated. “The continued growth and expanded support from our nationals at home and abroad is something we can all be collectively proud of.”
The minister expressed gratitude to the diaspora members present and encouraged their active participation in the conference sessions and nation-building efforts.
Echoing similar sentiments, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, emphasized the conference’s theme, calling it a significant opportunity for Jamaicans worldwide to unite for a better Jamaica.
“This conference reaffirms that regardless of when you left Jamaica, you remain a part of our community. It is a celebration of our shared heritage and a testament to the enduring bonds that unite us across borders,” Terrelonge said.
Legacy sponsors VM Group, GraceKennedy, and the Jamaica National Group also underscored the importance of strengthening ties with the diaspora, highlighting the benefits of deeper collaboration.
Courtney Campbell, president and CEO of VM Group and chair of this year’s conference, described the diaspora’s participation as essential for achieving greater outcomes for Jamaica.
“[It] is a display of unity, and with unity comes peace, greater productivity, and empowerment for our young people,” Campbell said, aligning with the conference theme, “United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Productivity, and Youth Empowerment.”
Grace Burnett, CEO of GraceKennedy Financial Group, remarked that the conference presents an opportunity for Jamaica to leverage unity and collective action to shape a brighter future.
Claudine Allen, General Manager of the JN Foundation, representing the JN Group, invited the diaspora to engage in philanthropic activities to uplift local communities. She highlighted the JN Circle, a network of volunteers established by the JN Group in 2020, with chapters across all parishes in Jamaica, the UK, and Canada.
“Wherever Jamaicans come together, we are interested in building their capacity and preparing them for prosperity,” Allen assured the audience.
