Outgoing Chair Holness highlights CARICOM’S 2025 achievements and optimism

On the heels of handing over the Chairmanship of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government, Jamaica’s Prime Minister (PM), Dr Andrew Holness, reflected on the Community’s achievements in 2025 and expressed optimism for a shared and prosperous future. Speaking during the handover, Dr Holness said, “As I hand over the chairmanship, I do so with deep confidence in the strength of our community and optimism about our shared future. I am equally confident that the Secretariat will continue to serve Member States with professionalism and dedication, supporting regional stability, cooperation and constructive engagement with international partners. I look forward to continuing to serve the region alongside my colleagues from St Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia as a member of the Bureau.” He added that it had been “an immense honour for Jamaica to serve as Chair for the second half of this year” and placed on record his gratitude for the unity and shared purpose that has defined CARICOM’s work throughout 2025. He highlighted the community’s resilience in responding to Hurricane Melissa, noting that “the extraordinary outpouring of support at the regional, international and individual levels affirmed a simple truth of our community: as members of the Caribbean family, we are never alone.” Despite the challenges of the year, Dr Holness emphasised that CARICOM – one of the world’s most enduring integration movements – achieved significant milestones. He reaffirmed the Community’s commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to principles underpinning regional and international cooperation. Looking at CARICOM’s broader achievements, Dr Holness highlighted the historic implementation of full free movement of persons among Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines from October 1, 2025. “This ‘concentric circles’ approach allows willing states to deepen cooperation while keeping the door open for others to participate when ready,” he said. He also noted CARICOM’s coordinated advocacy with the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) and strategic partners to defend regional interests amid shifting global trade conditions. The Community expanded intra-regional and international airlift, strengthened trade and supported initiatives to improve food and nutrition security. On the international stage, CARICOM maintained a unified voice at high-level fora, including the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the G20 Leaders’ Summit, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States–European Union (CELAC–EU) Summit, strengthening foreign policy coordination and enabling proactive responses to crises. Regional security concerns were addressed through mechanisms such as the Montego Bay Declaration on Transnational Organised Crime and Gangs.
Dr Holness also stressed CARICOM’s commitment to climate resilience and adaptation, noting the work of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). “CARICOM remains firmly committed to the 1.5°C goal, fully aware from bitter experience that building climate resilience is fundamental to safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and long-term development,” he said. The outgoing Chair also highlighted strengthened engagement with Africa through the Second Africa–CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa, emphasising trade, investment, culture and global advocacy – including reparations, which remain a priority for the region. CARICOM continued its advocacy for Haiti, contributing to the adoption of a UN Security Council Resolution establishing a Gang Suppression Force and preparing for free and fair elections in 2026. On regional security and governance, Dr Holness reiterated CARICOM’s commitment to the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, upholding sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He acknowledged the diversity of views among Member States as natural in a community of sovereign nations but stressed that such differences do not alter the strong institutional, economic and people-to-people ties binding the region.
Dr Holness concluded with a reflection on CARICOM’s credibility in navigating a complex global landscape. “In moments of uncertainty, our commitments to diplomacy, cooperation and mutual respect will remain essential to safeguarding the peace, development and independence of Member States,” he said.