Dear Secretary General,

I have the honour to refer to the invitation letter dated 30th May to attend the FortyFifth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to be held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on 3-5 July, 2023, under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Dominica, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit. I accept the aforementioned invitation with great pleasure.

I take this opportunity to extend congratulations to the Caribbean Community as it celebrates the Fiftieth Anniversary since its establishment by way of the Treaty of Chaguaramas signed on 4 July 1973. This milestone celebration affords us all the opportunity to commemorate the many successes of CARICOM to foster cooperation, promote economic integration and strengthen policy coordination in the Caribbean region.

I reiterate my personal and institutional commitment to strengthening ACS – CARICOM partnership towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean and in the spirit of the regional integration envisioned by the West Indian Commission in its seminal report “Time for Action”.

Madame Secretary General, I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem.