Prime Minister Receives Award For Outstanding Leadership

Prime Minister PJ Patterson has been recognised by the World Federation of Consuls and the Consular Corps of Jamaica for his outstanding leadership of Jamaican and Caribbean causes in the international arena.

He was presented with the FICAC Gold Star Award by the Hon. Wilhelm Brouwer, Director of the World Federation of Consuls as well as the Lignum Vitae Award by the Hon. Arnold Foote, Dean of the Consular Corps of Jamaica.

The presentation was made to Mr. Patterson at the annual awards function of the Consular Corps of Jamaica on Thursday, December 2.

In his address, Prime Minister Patterson disclosed that Jamaica would chair the Group of Seventy Seven Nations and China (G77) as of January next year and will therefore preside over the second summit of the G-77 to be held in Doha, Qatar during the second quarter of 2005. This will add to the country's repertoire of international leadership, as Jamaica is the current Chair of the African Caribbean and Pacific group (ACP).

Mr. Patterson said the Consular Corps of Jamaica had played a special role in the evolution of the country's international relationships, especially as it relates to the changes, which those relationships have undergone in recent years. He noted Jamaica's status and recognition in international fora including the United Nations and its Agencies, the UN Security Council, the Commonwealth and the African Caribbean and Pacific group of countries, resulting from the representation of the Honorary Consuls.

He observed that Consular Representatives would have an expanded role in facilitating enhanced opportunities for trade and business ventures across the region when the Caribbean Single Market in fully established in 2006. The initial phase of the CSME will be implemented between Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago on January 5 next year.

In presenting the awards to the Prime Minister, Dean of the Consular Corps Mr. Arnold Foote, said Mr. Patterson was "a great Jamaica and an outstanding Caribbean son, who has had a hand in shaping the destiny of Caribbean peoples." He said Mr. Patterson was widely respected for his preference of conciliation over confrontation, adding that those were skills that have served him well, as even in a radically changing world he has continued to tend the flickering flames of collectivism and cooperation.

Courtesy: Jamaica Information Service