Preparations have begun for the 60th Meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which will be held early next month in Georgetown, Guyana.

Under the chairmanship of Honourable Kerrie Symmonds, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, regional ministers responsible for trade and economic development will meet 10-11 June.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) - Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government will meet in St George’s, Grenada, from 3-5 July 2024, for their 47th Regular Meeting.

The Meeting’s agenda will comprise the agri-food systems work programme which prioritises food and nutrition security; climate change and sustainable development; foreign policy; the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME); and engagement with social partners.

• Honourable, Alva Baptiste, Minister of External Affairs International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs of Saint Lucia and Chair of Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED);

• Other Honourable Ministers and Heads of Delegations;

• Representatives of Regional Institutions;

• Distinguished Delegates;

• Ladies and Gentlemen.

CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett on Monday 5 September delivered the Second Distinguished Owen Arthur Memorial Lecture in Bridgetown, Barbados. The lecture was delivered under the theme 'The Future of CARICOM; Charting a Vision for the Region's Economic Advancement'.

It was organised by the the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, Shridath Ramphal Centre, and the Caribbean Development Bank.

Please read the lecture below:

Dr. Claire Grant, President, Caribbean Broadcasting Union;

Ms. Sonia Gill, Secretary General, Caribbean Broadcasting Union;

Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director General for Communication and Information, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization;

Mr. Kristian Porter, Chief Executive Officer, Public Media Alliance;