Jamaica Diaspora Conference opens in Montego Bay with resilience call after Hurricane Melissa

The 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference formally opened in Montego Bay, St. James, with government officials, diaspora delegates and civic leaders framing the event as a key platform to help rebuild Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa.

The ceremony mixed culture and protocol, with performances by a mento band and the Montego Bay High School Choir, followed by the arrival of the official party led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The opening included a flag procession for participating countries, the Jamaican National Anthem and National Pledge.

Dr. Richard Daley, pastor of the Brixton Seventh-day Adventist Church in London, led the prayer and gave thanks for lives spared during the storm while urging wisdom for national decision-making. He said Jamaica had endured severe damage but remained standing through resilience and collective effort.

In remarks to delegates, officials said the conference was oversubscribed and drew participants from more than a dozen countries. Speakers highlighted the role of Jamaicans abroad in relief work, investment, mentorship and policy dialogue, and pointed to the conference theme, "Diaspora Partnerships: Rebuilding a More Resilient Jamaica," as a practical agenda, not just a slogan.

Mayor Richard Vernon said Montego Bay's own recovery since 2025 reinforced the need for stronger institutions, infrastructure renewal and community-level action. Conference Chair Earl Jarrett said attendance signalled clear diaspora commitment, and referenced broad participation in the Jamaica Marketplace, where agencies, businesses and civil society groups engaged delegates.

Minister of State Alando Terrelonge said remittance inflows exceeded US$3 billion last year, while stressing that diaspora value goes beyond money to include technical expertise and global advocacy. Opposition Leader Mark Golding also urged stronger pathways for diaspora participation in governance, including public boards.

Prime Minister Holness said Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28 last year as a Category 5 system, describing it as the strongest storm to hit Jamaica and the third strongest on record. He thanked Jamaicans overseas for rapid support and said Jamaica had maintained economic stability, citing unemployment at about 3.5 per cent and inflation within the 4 to 6 per cent target band.