Chairman of CARICOM, the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica, on Wednesday made remarks at the beginning of discussions between CARICOM Heads of Government and United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken and his delegation. The discussion was held during the Forty-Fifth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
It is a great honour to be with you today, as the Caribbean Community marks its 50th anniversary. I thank Prime Minister Skerrit for inviting me to address you on this historic occasion. I am delighted to pay my first visit to Trinidad and Tobago, and I thank Prime Minister Rowley for his country’s hospitality.
Over the past half-century, CARICOM has distinguished itself as one of the most vibrant regional integration organizations in the developing world. I wish to pay tribute to CARICOM’s many accomplishments.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, As we celebrate CARICOM’s golden jubilee, it is an opportune time to reflect on West Indian excellence and the legacy left by our forefathers. Today is a historic and momentous occasion. We congregate in Chaguaramas, the place where the founding fathers of CARICOM committed to economic integration and functional cooperation. This occasion evokes pride in our rich shared heritage and Caribbean identity.
Remarks by Ms. Renee Atwell, Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps at the commemorative activities at Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago, 4 July 2023
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:
Distinguished Heads of States and Governments,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
All protocol observed.
It is my privilege to join you for CARICOM’s 50th anniversary. Anticipating tomorrow, happy birthday CARICOM!
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.
“In a world where multi-lateral rules-based systems are under strain, CARICOM, as small states, must rely more than ever on focused and coordinated diplomacy based on those principles on which we are founded. We must bolster our relations with like-minded states, and continue to advocate for multilateralism, including a reformed United Nations.” – CARICOM Secretary-General