(Caribbean Community Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Dr the Honourable Kenny D Anthony will preside over his first meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Wednesday 4 July since assuming the Chair of CARICOM on Sunday 1 July. Dr Anthony replaces the President of Suriname, His Excellency Desire Bouterse.

The three day 33rd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM begins with an Opening Ceremony at 9.30 am on Wednesday at the Sandals Grande which will be streamed live in the internet. One of the highlights of that ceremony will be the conferment of CARICOM’s highest award, the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) on Mr Kamaluddin Mohammed of Trinidad and Tobago. Mr Mohammed served in various cabinet positions in his native country and his award is as a result of his sterling contribution to the integration of the Region in particular during his stint as Minister of West Indian Affairs.

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque will lead off the speakers at the opening at which addresses will be delivered by the Chairman, the immediate past Chairman, the President of Guyana, His Excellency Donald Ramotar, the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Right Honourable Perry Christie and the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller.

The Heads of Government will receive the Secretaries-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) and of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), His Excellency Jose Miguel Insulza and His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas respectively.

The meeting ends on Friday 6 July.