Caricom 45th Heads of Govt meeting gets underway today in T&T

– Member States urged to recommit to Community on 50th anniversary

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) Conference of the Heads of Government will get underway today in Trinidad and Tobago. This meeting is being held on the heels of the Region celebrating 50 years since the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas on July 4, 1973, which led to the establishment of Caricom, and Member States are being urged to recommit to the tenets of that agreement.
Caricom’s 50th anniversary celebrations are being held under the theme: “50 Years Strong: A Solid Foundation to Build On” with a series of planned activities that commenced in the host country on Saturday.

In her remarks to commemorate the occasion, Caricom Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett stated that the Community’s longevity is a result of the deep commitment of Regional Governments to upholding the Treaty. She noted that while the past five decades were shaped by challenges and changes, there is much to be proud of.
Going forward, she urged that efforts be directed towards forging a Caribbean Community that is inclusive and resilient, a unified competitive force in the global arena, and one that shares opportunities and economic, social, and cultural prosperity.
“If we are to fulfil the promises of our integration, as laid out in the Treaty of Chaguaramas, we must continue to demonstrate the acumen, tenacity, and sense of shared purpose that has sustained us for the past 50 years. This is what will secure a safe and prosperous community for future generations of our Region. Let us therefore martial our talents and our zeal, and continue resolutely towards our vision of ‘One Caribbean – a community for all’,” SG Barnette stated.

Meanwhile, incoming Caricom Chairman, Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit noted that this jubilee anniversary presents the Region with an opportunity to take stock of its achievements and assess its actions over the years.
Skerrit said it is fitting for him to do this introspection early on in his six-month chairmanship. He noted that as the Community confronts the trials of today – defined by huge environmental and climate-related challenges, conflict, and economic uncertainties – it must renew efforts to protect the livelihood of its people and achieve economic resilience and prosperity.
“At 50, we must consider how we increase the productivity of our respective states, increase trade revenues and create sustainable economies, eliminate trade barriers and encourage free trade, and facilitate the free movement of skilled citizens across our borders forward… Over the next six months, I intend to place added emphasis on advancing free movement skills, resilience, regional travel, health and education. In different forums, via various mediums, I look forward to engaging regional stakeholders with a view to setting goals for the next 50 years,” the Dominica Prime Minister stated.
PM Skerrit is taking over the Caricom chairmanship from Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Phillip Davis.
The 45th Regular Conference of Caricom Heads of Government will be held from July 3 to 5 with the opening ceremony set to commence at 16:30h at the Regency Ballroom Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain.
On the Agenda for this high-level regional meeting are several recurring and new issues including the Caricom Single Market and Economy, climate change, including climate finance, agriculture and food security, security, and health, which will again be in focus.
Reform of the global financial architecture will engage the Heads of Government, who will also receive a number of guests to discuss political, economic, and financial matters relevant to the Community.
Among these special guests, who will be in Trinidad to participate in Caricom’s 50th anniversary, are the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres; the Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland; and President-Designate of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28), Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jabe – Cabinet Member of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is hosting the summit in November this year.
Other guests include the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame; Prime Minister of Korea, Han Duck-Soo; US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken; and US Congressman, Hakeem Jeffries.
Following the Caricom Conference, Secretary Blinken is expected to travel to Guyana on Thursday, July 6, 2023, during which he will meet with President Dr Irfaan Ali and members of the Guyanese Cabinet.