KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Daryl Vaz, has been named Chairman of the Inter-American Committee of Science and Technology (COMCYT), for the Ministerial Cycle 2022-2024.

According to a release on Tuesday, the Minister’s appointment follows the selection of the authorities to COMCYT on August 30, 2022, during the meeting of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development.

“Minister Vaz’s selection represents a historic moment for Jamaica and the Caribbean, as it is the first time a Caribbean nation has held the post since the establishment of the committee 18 years ago,” the release read.

As chairman, Vaz is slated to provide leadership in the field of science, technology and innovation, on behalf of Organisation of American States (OAS) members. The Minister is also expected to lead efforts toward the implementation of the main political commitments of the Declaration of Jamaica, and see to the advancement of the priority initiatives decided on at the Sixth Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities of Science and Technology (VI REMCYT), held in Kingston, Jamaica on December 21, 2021.

Prior to this appointment, Vaz served a successful three-year (2019 – 2022) term as vice chairman of COMCYT. During his tenure, Vaz played a pivotal role in the hosting of VI REMCYT, the Prospecta Americas 2022 — International Seminar on Transformative Technologies and Technology Foresight for the Americas, and led Jamaica’s efforts towards the facilitation of the 9th Summit of the Americas (held in Los Angeles, June 6-10, 2022).

The COMCYT is a high-level regional forum, for the design and execution of public policies and the establishment of alliances for development in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation. The mission of COMCYT is to contribute to the definition and execution of OAS policy on scientific, technological and innovative partnerships for development.