Jamaica and Guyana Sign Four Cooperation MOUs as Government Advances Health, Roads and Education Plans

Jamaica and Guyana last week refreshed long-standing bilateral ties, holding talks on Thursday between Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness and President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali before signing four memoranda of understanding on Friday. The instruments update cooperation protocols first agreed in 1995 and cover economic, technical and cultural exchange, agriculture, defence and security, and financial services.

Dr. Holness said discussions ranged from energy and tourism to financial services, agriculture, housing and regional diplomacy, adding that both countries share aligned outlooks on global change. The economic and cultural pact includes energy, housing, infrastructure, science and innovation, disaster response and climate resilience. Agricultural work will target nutrition, food security, trade and human-resource development, including the CARICOM 25 by 25 plus five agenda. Defence forces from both nations will pursue information sharing, capacity building and wider security cooperation, while the financial arrangement aims to strengthen markets, systems and institutions.

President Ali said extensive preparation went into the MOUs, noting shared ambitions for efficient governance and services that make citizens feel valued. Dr. Holness led a two-day state visit themed Guyana-Jamaica Strategic Partnership Dialogue, focused on regional food security, prosperity, innovation and security.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said a tourism supply logistics centre will become the fifth industry-specific special economic zone under the Special Economic Zone Act 2016, with tourism slated as the first tenant. Ministries of industry, investment and commerce and of agriculture, fisheries and mining will collaborate on warehousing, cold-chain capacity and supply coordination linking corridors, ports, farms and producers.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness launched Chronic Care Connect, a pilot linking patients with care teams, and Jamaica Moves Up, a smartphone tool for tracking blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and activity. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said the tools encourage personal responsibility in managing chronic illness. Chronic Care Connect is being tested at six health centres ahead of possible island-wide rollout.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said motorists owing traffic fines must settle arrears by September 30 as authorities prepare to reintroduce the demerit point system. More than 1.1 million unpaid tickets remain on record, alongside 118,000 recently issued. Under the Road Traffic Act 2018 and Road Traffic Regulations 2022, accumulating 10 or more demerit points within 15 months triggers mandatory licence suspension.

Jamaica will host the 13th Our Oceans Conference in 2029, with roughly 5,000 delegates expected, including about 12 world leaders and 50 ministerial-level delegations. Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda announced the milestone at a post-Cabinet briefing and reported Jamaica’s recent accession to several marine-protection initiatives, including the Mangrove Breakthrough.

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon said a boys’ committee chaired by Parliamentary Secretary Marlon Morgan will develop strategies after 2026 Primary Exit Profile results again showed girls ahead of boys. The ministry is also weighing a merger of Hydel High and Cumberland High, citing infrastructure limits at Hydel, rented premises and low enrolment at Cumberland, with consultations continuing.