 Honourable Frank Anthony, Minister of Health of Guyana;

 Representatives of International Organisations;

 Ms. Alison Drayton, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development;

 Other Members of Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat;

 CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and Youth Leaders

• Honourable Vickram Bharrat, M.P., Minister of Natural Resources of Guyana;

• Representatives of Caribbean Governments;

• Representatives of Regional and International Organisations;

• Mr.

• Your Excellency Yōko Kamikawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan;

• Other Officials of the Government of Japan;

• Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

• Ms.

It is a distinct pleasure to address you at this Opening Ceremony of the Forty-Sixth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). I am particularly pleased to welcome you to Georgetown, Guyana, the seat of the CARICOM Secretariat, the Headquarters of the Community, where we have enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Government and People of Guyana for over fifty years.

“Thank you, Prime Minister Skerrit, for your very kind and generous introduction. I am honored to be here for the Forty-Fifth CARICOM Heads of Government Conference. This is my second international trip as House Democratic Leader, but first to the Western Hemisphere. It’s an honor to touch down in the Caribbean.   I want to first acknowledge all of the CARICOM heads of government and dignitaries here today. Thank you to CARICOM Secretary General Ms.