Post Cabinet Press Briefing Report- October 1, 2025
Administration’s Mandate and Integrity
Prime Minister Holness has charged the Cabinet to act with integrity and deliver on the promises outlined in the manifesto, which serves as a genuine commitment to transform Jamaica. In the first Cabinet meeting, ministers were reminded of the manifesto’s importance and the transformative goals for the five-year term. The Prime Minister emphasized moving beyond just the country’s macroeconomic stability (‘hardware’) to also focus on the ‘software’ aspects to achieve these promises.
The Cabinet was urged to address difficult national issues, including achieving peace and security, guided by the Aspire framework which focuses on economic opportunity for all, safety, human capital development through education and skills training, and reforming bureaucracy to increase efficiency. The importance of lifting every Jamaican to their full potential and speeding up government processes in response to a changing global environment was highlighted as a top priority.
The administration commits to transparency and openness by holding regular post-cabinet press briefings where ministers share progress on transformational work. This openness is essential to democratic accountability and allows the media to ask challenging questions. The segment ends with ‘good news, from Minister Morris-Dixon, noting that Standard and Poor’s has upgraded Jamaica’s sovereign credit rating, signaling positive economic developments.
Jamaica’s Sovereign Credit Rating Upgrade
The speaker explains that Jamaica’s sovereign credit rating has improved from BB- to BB, surpassing many European and Caribbean countries. This positive change reflects a significant reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio from 145% in 2013 to 62% in 2020, with the goal of reaching 60%, which would achieve investment grade status. Minister Dixon encourages students to recognize and take pride in this progress as they contribute to building a new Jamaica.
Rural School Bus System Launch
Minister Dixon highlights the successful implementation of a new school bus program launched on September 8th, emphasizing how good fiscal management has made such developments possible in Jamaica. The program is well-received by both children and parents, symbolizing tangible benefits of government efforts. The school bus, once only seen abroad or on TV, is now a reality, reflecting progress and improved public services. Parents are encouraged to register their children for a special student card required to access the school bus service. This card allows students to swipe on and off the bus, sending alerts to parents about their child’s bus entry and exit. The system is designed to enhance safety and communication. Students ride free until the end of October, after which a subsidized fare of $50 each way will be implemented, offering significant savings compared to previous costs. Minister Dixon briefly mentions ongoing initiatives in fishing and nutrition before introducing upcoming segments, including a focus on foreign affairs and a guest speaker, Godfrey Sterling, who will discuss cyber awareness month in October, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity.
Minister Kamina Johnson-Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighting her tenth appearance at the United Nations and her global recognition in foreign policy. She expresses gratitude for the presence of students and academic staff, which inspired her to share a more extensive presentation to foster ongoing dialogue beyond the briefing. The Minister acknowledges her team’s efforts in ensuring Jamaica’s voice is not only heard but strategically listened to on the international stage. She also notes the importance of nuanced approaches in diplomacy and mentions that her UN briefing began before her official swearing-in as part of a seamless transitional process.
Jamaica at the 80th UN General Assembly
The delegation to the 80th session of the General Assembly was led by Dr. Andrew Holness and included ministers focused on climate change and health. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade plays a crucial but often unseen role in government, working to raise Jamaica’s international profile.
The 80th General Assembly focused on reflecting on 80 years of multilateralism amid current global geopolitical tensions and challenges. Jamaica aims to balance international engagement with national development goals. Prime Minister Holness presented the national policy statement emphasizing the need for reform and revitalization of the United Nations to improve global cooperation and effectiveness. Jamaica, together with New Zealand, was appointed to lead the UN mandate implementation review process to improve the effectiveness of UN resolutions. This involves evaluating over 2,000 mandates to determine which should be prioritized, clarified, or discontinued to strengthen multilateralism. Jamaica’s leadership in this process reflects its respected and measured approach on the global stage.
Prime Minister Holness highlighted key international issues including climate resilience, financing for development, peace and security, and the integration of Cuba into international systems. He called for a ceasefire and just resolution in the Middle East, support for restoring constitutional order in Haiti, and a global effort to combat transnational organized crime. Jamaica’s progress as a small island developing state demonstrates that sound policies and governance can lead to economic independence and development. The Prime Minister urged the international community to build a fair, inclusive, and responsive global system.
Haiti Security and International Support
Minister Johnson-Smith discusses the recent breakthrough at the UN Security Council, which passed a resolution to create a successor mission to the current multi-country security support mission in Haiti. This mission is critical as the previous one expires tomorrow, and the new mission aims to ensure continued international support and resources for Haiti during this transitional phase. Concerns are expressed about the future of Haiti and the international community’s role. Jamaica emphasizes its interest not only in Haiti’s humanitarian crisis but also in regional security, advocating for a new UN-backed mission that ensures resources and support to address the ongoing security and humanitarian challenges in Haiti.
The Minister highlights the serious humanitarian abuses and mass displacement in Haiti, stressing the need for continued attention despite limited media coverage. Jamaica advocates strongly for sustained support and solidarity with Haiti due to regional security concerns and humanitarian obligations.
Jamaica supports the establishment of a new UN mission office in Haiti to enable more predictable funding and systematic support. The country is actively involved in planning the new mission, including a gang suppression force, and is part of the group of standing partners dedicated to this effort. The new mission aims for sustainable and predictable resourcing from international partners. It will work alongside the Organization of American States (OAS) roadmap that focuses on humanitarian issues, highlighting a coordinated approach to address Haiti’s stability and security challenges.
Minister Johnson-Smith encourages further research into the OAS roadmap and explains the complementary roles of the OAS and the UN. The OAS focuses on humanitarian aspects while the UN engages in security under chapter 7. The goal is to unify regional and international efforts to support Haiti’s governance and return to constitutional order. Efforts are being made to support Haiti’s ownership of its governance and priorities to restore stability. The speaker experiences a brief technical issue but reiterates the importance of coordinated international and hemispheric cooperation in assisting Haiti.
Climate Action and Ocean Economy Initiatives
Prime Minister Holness presented Jamaica’s updated national climate action plan to the UN framework convention on climate change, targeting emission reductions between 26% and 41.7% by 2035 and aiming for 50% renewables by 2030. At the high-level panel on sustainable ocean economy, he was noted as the only remaining founding leader among the original 14 countries, highlighting Jamaica’s leadership and commitment to ocean protection and climate solutions.
Jamaica is already halfway towards the global 30×30 marine protection target and progressing well on terrestrial conservation. Emphasizing sustainable oceans supports climate stability, biodiversity, and job creation, especially for youth interested in environmental careers. The establishment of a new ministry dedicated to the blue economy aims to institutionalize these efforts and stimulate economic growth. Jamaica also celebrated surpassing the required 60 ratifications for the BBNJ agreement, which will come into effect in January, marking a significant achievement in marine biodiversity conservation.
Women Empowerment and Peace Initiatives
Jamaica participated in the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, celebrating the empowerment of women and girls. The events included networking opportunities with women leaders across business, politics, and technology. Jamaica was honored to be part of this gathering, which also featured a small women leaders event where Hillary Clinton gave a keynote speech recognizing her role in asserting that women’s rights are human rights. This anniversary marked a renewed international focus on women’s empowerment within peace and security agendas. The Minister represented Jamaica at a high-level meeting discussing Kenya’s perspectives on the MSS in Haiti, which are important for gang suppression efforts and women’s peace and security initiatives. Jamaica was instrumental in the creation and implementation of a related UN Security Council resolution during its tenure as a non-permanent member. Jamaica’s Chief of Defense Staff recently chaired the global heads of defense forces on women, peace, and security, succeeding Sweden. Jamaica is currently developing its own national women, peace, and security plan led by the Ministry of National Security and Peace in collaboration with agencies such as JCF and JDF, involving wider stakeholders.
The Minister also participated in a high-level event on migration, focusing on strategic dialogue around migration challenges in a changing world. Discussions addressed issues related to circular migration and the experiences of involuntary and voluntary returnees.
Migration and Diaspora Engagement
Minister discusses the sensitive issue of return migration involving Mr. Etoria, who was diverted to the Kingdom of Eswatini. Through cooperation with Eswatini ‘s government and, they secured his quiet return, appreciating the press for respecting the delicacy of the matter. The Minister emphasizes the importance of democracy, accountability, and transparency. Jamaica’s representation in various international meetings, including CELAC is explained, noting the rotating chairmanship that grants Jamaica a seat. She details participation in multiple foreign ministers’ meetings with regions like the EU, China, India, and Japan. Addressing concerns about Jamaica’s absence from a Palestine-related vote, it is clarified that the absence was due to team preparations for another meeting and that the procedural vote was passed with mass approval. She defends Jamaica’s diplomatic efforts and calls for a balanced understanding of its international role.
Minister Johnson-Smith highlights Jamaica’s active engagement in multilateral diplomacy, attending high-level meetings of like-minded Global South countries and the 3G ministers meeting chaired by Singapore. These forums focus on global governance and ensuring the priorities of CARICOM and small island developing states are represented at the upcoming G20 leaders summit. She also mentions attending the G20 foreign ministers meeting under South Africa’s chairmanship, emphasizing informal diplomatic exchanges and ongoing discussions about financing for small island developing states and preparations for COP.
Bilateral meetings are discussed, including engagements between the Jamaican Prime Minister and leaders from Kenya, Canada, and Norway, with topics covering bilateral relations and regional issues such as Haiti. She also met with foreign counterparts from Portugal, Singapore, Monaco, the Philippines, and Cuba to discuss mutual geopolitical interests. Diaspora engagement efforts are noted, including a community event with Jamaican ambassadors and the Prime Minister, focusing on updates, tough questions, and boosting investment. The segment concludes by briefly mentioning a recent press response related to the war in Gaza.
Jamaica’s Position on Gaza Conflict
Minister Johnson-Smith addresses criticisms regarding Jamaica’s perceived silence on the Palestine issue, clarifying that Jamaica recognized Palestine last year and has consistently supported a two-state solution as outlined in resolution 242. She emphasizes the importance of thorough research before making national reputation claims and highlights Jamaica’s diplomatic efforts, including statements at various levels within CARICOM and the UN. They stress that diplomacy should be reasoned and consistent rather than performative, calling for truthfulness in public discourse to uphold democracy and avoid misinformation. The session transitions to a question-and-answer segment with the media, reaffirming the commitment to truth and factual reporting in the discussion. Rasheen Nangle is introduced to manage the media questions directed at Minister Johnson Smith.
Media Q&A on Diaspora and Diplomacy
The discussion begins with a reminder for participants to state their names and affiliations before asking questions. Mahiri Stewart from Nationwide News inquires about the concerns raised by diaspora members during a consulate general meeting in New York. The response highlights that most questions centered on health issues, specifically mental health in light of a recent suicide, government approaches to suicide prevention, health infrastructure, and resource availability. There were also inquiries about improving processes for philanthropic donations from the diaspora, including reducing levies and costs. Additionally, questions about business investment opportunities were raised, with some positive feedback on health donations. The segment concludes with commendations for progress in crime and security, which has encouraged diaspora members to consider purchasing homes and returning.
The conversation shifts to Jamaica’s diplomatic stance regarding a recent walkout by some countries during Israel’s prime minister’s address at the UN. The minister explains that Jamaica chose not to walk out, emphasizing the country’s preference for engagement and dialogue rather than performative acts. Jamaica values being present at discussions regardless of agreement levels and focuses on solutions over image or ego. The minister clarifies that the walkout was not a unanimous UN action and respects other countries’ choices while highlighting Jamaica’s consistent approach to diplomacy. The segment ends with the minister reiterating that Jamaica’s decision was about constructive engagement and that absence would neither advance nor harm its position.
Nutrition and Bullying in Schools
Minister Dixon discusses Jamaica’s approach to school nutrition, emphasizing the importance of addressing both hunger and obesity to improve children’s long-term health. A new school nutrition policy has been implemented, including training 300 school cooks in providing nutritious, cost-effective meals with innovative ways to include vegetables. The initiative aims to empower cooks with official qualifications and promote healthier eating habits among students. The Minister highlights the significance of physical education in schools alongside nutrition to combat non-communicable diseases that begin early in life. Following this, a student asks Senator Johnson Smith about Jamaica and New Zealand’s leadership in reviewing UN resolution mandates. The Senator explains that the process is still in its early stages, involving the assessment of over 2,000 mandates with careful consensus-building.
The conversation shifts to concerns about bullying in Jamaican schools, linked to mental health issues and suicide risks. The Minister outlines the government’s comprehensive anti-bullying strategy, developed in collaboration with UNICEF, based on international standards and research. The approach includes therapeutic support for bullies and victims, family involvement, and integration of mental health education into the curriculum.
The Ministry of Education is implementing a mental wellness week in schools and incorporating mental health topics into the HFLE curriculum. Efforts include creating wellness spaces and balancing disciplinary actions with emotional support. The Minister stresses that bullying is not tolerated and schools are empowered to act decisively. The broader violence prevention work and cultural challenges are also acknowledged as part of creating safer environments for children. Additional initiatives include anti-bullying campaigns, national wellness weeks, and widely promoted mental health hotlines to support students. The Minister encourages openness about mental health struggles to reduce stigma and assures that help is available.
Cyber Security Awareness Month Overview
Minister Dixon introduces the importance of cybersecurity, highlighting that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year marks the 10th anniversary of both the awareness month and the Cyber Incident Response Team (CERT) division within the government. Lieutenant Colonel Godfrey Sterling emphasizes the ongoing global challenges in cybersecurity and the need for improved attitudes and approaches to address them. Collaboration with various stakeholders, including the diaspora, is seen as essential to enhancing cybersecurity awareness in Jamaica.
The focus for this year’s cybersecurity efforts centers on understanding risks beyond just threats, emphasizing the importance of mitigating vulnerabilities and securely addressing breaches. A critical goal is to build a sustainable and skilled cybersecurity workforce locally, reducing reliance on foreign talent. The CERT division plans to leverage the extended five-week October to engage the public more effectively, starting with how the public sector delivers cybersecurity services for Jamaicans. The government acts as a facilitator in cybersecurity, supporting public and private sector entities responsible for secure data handling and service provision. Individuals are also a key layer, tasked with maintaining good cyber hygiene and secure practices with their devices and in the workplace. Week two of the awareness month will focus on the private sector, especially small and medium enterprises, to raise their cybersecurity awareness and promote cost-effective measures for protecting customer data. Attention will be given to small businesses that often handle payment card data insecurely, with efforts to educate and provide free or affordable security solutions. Week three targets communities and citizens through partnerships with the Ministry of National Security and the Office of the Information Commission, aiming to enhance public understanding of data rights and secure technology use. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on schools, shifting focus to primary education to build future cybersecurity professionals from a young age by integrating relevant content into curricula.
The initiative extends to training teachers and embedding cybersecurity education sustainably over five years in primary schools. Secondary schools will see the addition of cybersecurity into the existing ICT curriculum, preparing students to recognize cyber careers by the upper levels. At the university level, collaboration with the University Council of Jamaica will review and improve cybersecurity programs to ensure they meet international standards and include practical training components. The overarching message stresses that cybersecurity is a collaborative effort requiring partnerships across education and government sectors.
Cyber Security Challenges and Responses
Lieutenant Colonel Sterling highlights the critical importance of protecting infrastructure sectors such as energy, transportation, telecommunications, and especially the financial sector, which is the focus this year. A simulation exercise will be held at Jamaica House to demonstrate how various national entities including banks, regulators, law enforcement, and incident response teams would collaboratively respond to a cyber-attack crippling the financial sector. This exercise aims to ensure preparedness, rapid identification, containment, and remediation of cyber incidents.
Upcoming events for National Cyber Security Awareness Month are outlined, including a career day with a virtual tour of the national Security Operations Center at the University of Technology. The National Cyber Security team is notably young, with an average age of 22, emphasizing succession planning. Various engagement initiatives such as cyber trivia, quizzes, and prizes will be conducted.
The history of Jamaica’s cyber security efforts is reviewed, starting with a major website defacement in 2013 that exposed the lack of a national solution. The government responded by establishing a division in 2015 and creating the National Cyber Security Strategy, allowing Jamaica to monitor its own cyber environment. Between 2017 and 2019, the strategy evolved under the Secure Jamaica plan. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift from reactive to proactive cyber defense, leading to the establishment of the National Security Operations Center in 2022, which now provides localized cyber threat data and recommendations.
The strengthening cyber security in Jamaica project, recently approved and starting this month, aims to enhance government cyber security capabilities by leveraging existing technologies. Training initiatives include the Jamaica Cyber Youth Empowerment Academy, launched with support from the government of Canada, intended to become a regional model. Following a 2023 financial sector breach, a secure platform (CCGM) was created for collaboration between banks, regulators, and law enforcement. A recent digital training program attracted overwhelming interest, illustrating efforts to build a sustainable cyber security talent pipeline. Acknowledgment is given to the often behind-the-scenes work of the national cyber emergency response team (CERT) in managing cyber breaches affecting both public and private sectors. The CERT provides critical support and containment services to breached private entities, a fact many Jamaicans may not be aware of. The speaker expresses gratitude for the ongoing government funding that supports this vital work.
Community Role in Child Safety
The discussion begins with a report of a missing student from Manchester High and the community’s role in ensuring children’s safety once they leave school grounds. The minister emphasizes the importance of collective responsibility among citizens to help children who may be lost or in danger. Authorities, including the police, military, and fire brigade, are actively searching for the missing student using CCTV footage, but have not yet found him. The minister stresses that every child should be regarded as part of the community, highlighting the need to revive the idea that raising children is a communal effort. The minister notes issues with students missing school and congregating in commercial spaces where they should not be, pointing out that these establishments bear some responsibility. She urges the community to care for all children, not just their own, and to offer help when they see children in need. The search for the missing student continues with full police involvement and community prayers for his safe return. The minister reiterates that the situation is being taken very seriously by authorities.
Common Cyber Security Mistakes
The discussion addresses common cybersecurity mistakes, emphasizing the misconception that breaches won’t happen to us. A key issue is the misconfiguration of security systems, often due to unqualified personnel or corner-cutting, which puts data at risk. Individuals tend to overshare without considering their digital footprint and the need to regularly sanitize it. People are urged to recognize their role as digital citizens and secure their devices. For businesses, data is described as a new currency that must be securely collected, stored, transmitted, and disposed of responsibly. By adopting these practices at individual, organizational, and national levels, cybersecurity can be improved.
Cyber Threats and National Vulnerabilities
Lieutenant Colonel Sterling addresses persistent challenges and attitudes in cybersecurity, noting that geopolitical tensions like the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East conflicts have intensified hacking activities. These conflicts create attractive targets through associated parties, increasing cyber threats globally. Cyber attacks often exploit regions with vulnerable targets and third-party associations. Cybercrime represents a massive underground economy, with unauthorized data access yielding significant financial rewards. Individuals’ lax cybersecurity habits, such as mixing personal and corporate device use without quarantining, increase workplace risks. The rise of digital currencies also attracts hackers targeting crypto exchanges. Often, stolen credentials are not adequately protected or remediated, making organizations vulnerable to cybercrime. In Jamaica, with over three million daily internet connections mostly via mobile devices, many accounts have compromised credentials that remain unaddressed. Cybercriminals exploit this, whereas responsible responders lock accounts and notify organizations. Common threats include credential compromise from unrelated breaches, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
Data loss prevention is largely neglected; employees often send sensitive information outside organizations or use insecure devices like thumb drives. Social media oversharing exacerbates risks, and the proliferation of Internet of Things devices continuously collects and transmits user data, raising privacy and security concerns. Smart devices constantly listen and transmit data to refine user profiles, raising questions about data destinations. Individuals should evaluate and minimize their digital footprints, maintain device security through updates and patches, and manage digital secrets carefully, including segregating home Wi-Fi networks to enhance security.
Improving individual cyber hygiene can lead to stronger business policies and better threat recognition. Reporting cyber incidents promptly is crucial for effective management, but underreporting remains a major challenge in cybersecurity efforts. The discussion concludes with a warning about the risks of careless clicking, citing incidents of WhatsApp accounts being compromised. The speaker praises public sector cybersecurity efforts and encourages the audience to adopt safer digital habits rather than be fearful.
Closing Remarks and Future Engagements
The briefing begins by highlighting the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on October 1 and mentions upcoming discussions on women’s health in a future post-cabinet press briefing. It also recognizes World Teachers Day with planned commemorative activities celebrating the vital role of teachers. Additionally, it is announced that Jamaica will sign the UN Cybercrime Convention in Vietnam in November, with Jamaica playing a leading role in negotiations on behalf of CARICOM, reflecting significant international engagement.
The discussion emphasizes the important and far-reaching work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs beyond traditional diplomacy, including its impact on other ministries like education and diaspora relations. There is a strong sense of national pride expressed in Jamaica’s prominent role on the global stage, particularly through the efforts of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister. The minister’s decade-long leadership at the UN is celebrated as a source of pride for the nation.
The segment continues to underscore Jamaica’s respected global leadership and truthfully acknowledges the country’s achievements without exaggeration. Appreciation is shown for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs team and other security efforts protecting the nation. The address encourages young people and students present to take inspiration and responsibility for Jamaica’s future leadership roles, urging them to actively engage and contribute to building a better nation.