Holness: Jamaica’s foreign policy strong, values on gender ‘will not change’

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says Jamaica continues to maintain a strong and strategic foreign policy, while holding firm to what he described as core national values, including his position that gender is limited to male and female.

Contributing to the Budget Debate in Parliament on Thursday afternoon, Holness said that although Jamaica continues to adapt to global changes, there are fundamental principles that will not shift.

“A man is a man and a woman is a woman,” he declared, drawing applause as he struck the podium.

“There are things that define us as Jamaicans, and we are not going to change on those.”

The prime minister framed his remarks within the context of a rapidly evolving global landscape, pointing to shifts in the balance of power within the multilateral system.

He noted that more countries are now exercising military, economic, technological and normative influence, resulting in increased competition and less automatic consensus on global issues.

According to Holness, this growing fragmentation underscores the need for reform of the global multilateral system, rather than its abandonment.

“We cannot abandon it, but it must be reformed to take into consideration the new power dynamics that have emerged,” he said.

He emphasised that in this complex foreign policy environment, Jamaica must remain strategic and avoid what he described as ideological rhetoric.

“Been there, done that,” said the PM.

“Foreign policy is about having a clear framework of principles and values within which we pursue our interests, while treating with the interests and powers of others with whom we engage,” Holness stated.

The prime minister insisted that his administration has consistently ensured that Jamaica’s foreign policy serves the country’s economic interests, arguing that the current approach has delivered tangible benefits.

“There has been no other era during which foreign policy has delivered as much economic benefit for Jamaica,” he said, adding that all decisions must support the country’s ability to recover quickly and build resilience.

Holness also stressed the importance of national agency, noting that Jamaica must act independently while remaining a responsible member of the global community.

“We have agency,” he said.

“Jamaica will always take the necessary actions to ensure that it is compliant under the multilateral system, but we will act in our own interest.”

While reaffirming Jamaica’s commitment to engaging globally, Holness maintained that certain cultural and social values will remain unchanged, even as the country pursues economic growth and international partnerships.