CARICOM and Central American Leaders to meet in Belize, 3 March 2022

Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Central American Integration System (SICA) will seek to strengthen relations in the face of ‘multidimensional challenges’ when they meet for the Fourth CARICOM SICA Summit on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, on 3 March 2022.

The Summit is expected to adopt the Joint Declaration of San Pedro, with commitments to strengthen foreign policy consultation; actively collaborate on socio-economic development matters, including tourism, trade and investment; and strengthen cooperation in Climate Change and public health, among other matters.

The Heads are also expected to sign a Revised CARICOM – SICA Plan of Action adopted by Foreign Ministers of the two Regions last month, which highlights specific areas for joint dialogue and commitment to implementation, evaluation and follow-up.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to be a Special Guest at the Summit and is expected to engage the Heads on several matters including COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery; climate change, financing for development, and the situation in Haiti.

President of Argentina H.E. Alberto Fernandez is expected to address the deliberations on hemispheric and regional affairs in his country’s capacity as pro tempore President of CELAC – the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Opening Statements by CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Hon John Antonio Briceño of Belize, and H.E. Laurentino Cortizo, President of Panama which holds the Pro tempore Presidency of SICA, will be livestreamed on CARICOM’s You Tube Channel and Face Book page.

The CARICOM-SICA Summit immediately follows the Thirty-Third Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, which ends on 2 March also on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.