Jamaica and Guyana renew cooperation agreements as cabinet rolls out health, transport and education measures

Jamaica marked the final week of June with a cluster of national announcements spanning foreign relations, public health, road safety, environmental diplomacy, and education.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness held talks on Thursday with Guyana's President Dr. Muhammad Irfaan Ali before four memoranda of understanding were signed on Friday to update cooperation protocols first set in 1995. The agreements cover economic, technical and cultural cooperation; agriculture; defence and security; and financial services. Dr. Holness said the breadth of exchanges between the two countries is extensive, noting discussions on energy, security, tourism, financial services, agriculture, housing, regional and diplomatic issues. He said Jamaica and Guyana are aligned in their outlook on global politics.

Cooperation areas include energy, housing, infrastructure, science, disaster response, climate resilience, nutrition, food security, and advancing the CARICOM 25 by 25 plus 5 agenda. The Jamaica Defence Force and Guyana Defence Force will explore information sharing, capacity building, and multinational security cooperation. A financial partnership will support capital markets and institutional strengthening.

President Ali said both nations share ambitions for efficient governance and delivering services that make citizens feel valued. During a two-day state visit themed around the Guyana–Jamaica strategic partnership, officials also agreed to establish a tourism supply logistics centre as the fifth industry-specific special economic zone under the Special Economic Zone Act 2016. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said an agreement was reached with the ministries of industry and agriculture to support warehousing, cold-chain capacity, and links between tourism corridors, farms, and producers.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness launched Chronic Care Connect and the Jamaica Moves app to improve prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said the technology helps Jamaicans take greater responsibility for their health. Chronic Care Connect is being piloted at six health centres with plans for wider rollout if successful.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said more than 1.1 million unpaid traffic tickets remain on record alongside 118,000 recently issued tickets. Motorists owing fines have until 30 September to settle arrears before the demerit-point system is reimplemented. Under the Road Traffic Act 2018, drivers who accumulate 10 or more demerit points within 15 months face mandatory licence suspension.

Jamaica will host the 13th Our Ocean Conference in 2029, with about 5,000 delegates expected, including roughly 12 world leaders and 50 ministerial-level delegations. The Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change announced the hosting role and reported Jamaica's recent participation in ocean-protection initiatives, including mangrove restoration work along the south coast.

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon said a boys' achievement committee chaired by Parliamentary Secretary Marlon Morgan will develop strategies after 2026 Primary Exit Profile results showed girls continuing to outperform boys. She also said consultations continue on merging Highgate High School with Cumberland High because of infrastructure challenges and low enrolment.