Holness to Collect Esri Honour in San Diego as Grange Steers Cabinet at Home

Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, is due in San Diego, California, for the 2026 Esri User Conference from July 11 to 14, 2026. While there, he will collect the 2026 Esri President’s Award for the Government of Jamaica.

The honour cites the country’s standing in applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to guide decisions with data and to build a joined-up national geospatial framework. Esri ranks as the foremost global provider of GIS software and location-intelligence tools. Governments and institutions across the world rely on its mapping and spatial-analysis systems for land-use planning, emergency management, infrastructure work, and policy grounded in evidence.

During the Prime Minister’s trip abroad, the Honourable Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, will direct the Government. She assumes that role from the Honourable Dr. Horace Chang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, who remains overseas on official business.

Dr. Chang is expected back in Jamaica on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Once he returns, he will again stand in for the Prime Minister through the rest of Mr. Holness’s engagements outside the country.