Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown): CARICOM Leaders braved the inclement weather in Trinidad and Tobago for a commemorative ceremony in observance of the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which gave birth to the regional organization.
It is fitting that we should gather here in Trinidad and Tobago on this most significant occasion in the history of our Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Your Excellencies:
Fellow Heads of Government:
Madam Secretary-General of CARICOM:
Current Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit – let me take this opportunity to wish you a successful tenure:
Honoured and Distinguished Guests from within and beyond the Caribbean Region:
Good afternoon.
Today, it is my honour to welcome you to the beautiful twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, for the convening of the 45th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM. For us here in the Caribbean, this is a significant event, as tomorrow we also launch the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Original Treaty of Chaguaramas, right here in Trinidad and Tobago.
Following is an edited version of a presentation by Dr. Carla N Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General, at a symposium ‘CARICOM at 50’ hosted by UWI St Augustine on April 14, 2023.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), with its common vision of economic integration and cooperation, is committed to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development, especially in the face of climate change and its impacts on the ocean.
World Environment Day is the biggest international day for the environment, celebrated by millions of people across the world. This year marks the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, after it was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. Similarly, The Caribbean Community was also established in 1972 celebrating 50 years of integration, cooperation and development. In this pursuit, sustainable management of the environment and natural resources has always been a priority enshrined in the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Today is International Day for Biological Diversity.
Please read below a CARICOM Secretariat message to mark the occasion:
CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, delivered the keynote address Friday morning (14 April 2023) at the opening ceremony of a symposium to mark the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Community being observed this year.
The virtual symposium, titled ‘CARICOM at the Crossroads: Rising to the Challenge of a New Era’, was organised by the CARICOM Secretariat in collaboration with the Institute of International Relations of The University of the West Indies (UWI).