DR. CARLA N. BARNETT SECRETARY-GENERAL, CARICOM FOR THE FORTY-FIFTH REGULAR MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM)

This Forty-Fifth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Governments is one of the most anticipated engagements on our Community’s calendar this year, as it coincides with the major milestone of CARICOM’s 50^th Anniversary. 

Host Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, will welcome CARICOM Heads of Government and their delegations to the beautiful twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.  

Incoming Chair of the Conference of Heads of Government, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerritt, Prime Minister of Dominica, will manage the three-day programme of work, which will comprise updates on critical issues and robust discussions leading to decisions to advance CARICOM’s strategic priorities. Agriculture and food security, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, energy security, citizen security, climate change and preparation for COP 28, are all on our Agenda, as we work to build a people-centred, sustainable and internationally competitive Community. 

Deliberations will assume even greater resonance against the background of our 50^th Anniversary celebrations. We are returning to Chaguaramas, where the Treaty was signed on July 4, 1973, to signal the commitment among our Member States to economic integration and cooperation, coordinated foreign policy and functional cooperation in the areas of critical importance to the people of the Community. 

This Meeting will, therefore, provide a unique opportunity to reflect on the pivotal achievements of the past 50 years, and renew our commitment to the sustainable growth, development and enhanced prosperity of the Community. 

We look forward to highly productive business sessions and meaningful commemorative activities.  

5 June 2023