The webinar is being held to mark International Youth Day, which was observed on 12 August under the theme ‘Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond’.
]]>Deputy Programme Manager, Ms. Yvanette Baron-George, represented Ms. Alexis Downes-Amsterdam, Director General of CARIFORUM, at the meetings. She explained that the Support to the Effective Administration of the Criminal Justice Systems in the Caribbean Programme aims to modernise and strengthen court services across the region. The United Nations Development Programme, Center for International Legal Cooperation, the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Court of Justice are implementing partners under the Programme.
Improving access to justice through acquisition of software, hardware, training and capacity development, procedural reforms and community awareness is a key initiative being implemented under the programme.
Through the Law Enforcement and Border Security Programme, the Regional Security System and national security agencies benefited from targeted training and capacity building initiatives to better respond to regional security threats. This Programme aims to improve information and intelligence sharing in the CARIFORUM region for crime prevention and interdiction. Implementation was done by the Regional Security System and CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security on behalf of CARIFORUM.
“I am on record as saying that we need to launch a war on gangs of a similar magnitude and nature to the war on terror.”
Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MPChair, CARICOM
Prime Minister, Jamaica
CARICOM Heads of Government have agreed to tackle the Region’s crime and security challenge with the adoption of the Montego Bay Declaration on Transnational Organised Crime and Gangs, underscoring leaders’ united stance against criminal networks.
This was highlighted by Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, CARICOM Chair and Jamaica’s Prime Minister, during the closing media conference for the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, which was held from 6-8 July in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
“A secure CARICOM is a viable CARICOM,” stated the CARICOM Chairman, “And as such, security remains high on the agenda for the duration of my chairmanship and beyond.”
Prime Minister Holness shared that leaders also held talks with the Secretary-General of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Valdecy Urquiza, who “committed to strengthening cooperation and expanding access to its global resources.”
In the Declaration, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering the Region’s efforts against organised crime by tracking emerging trends in illicit firearms trafficking, introducing strong legislation with tougher penalties for firearm and gang-related offences and enhancing public awareness to support prevention and prosecution initiatives.
Firm stance
During his keynote address at the Meeting’s opening ceremony on Sunday, the Prime Minister underscored that CARICOM nations must take a firm stance on organised criminal gangs, reiterating his position that gang violence must be regarded as acts of terrorism.
He stated that gang networks have grown well beyond typical street-level crime and now pose a serious threat to regional security and emphasised that addressing this issue requires the same level of urgency and coordinated action as the global fight against terrorism.
“I am on record as saying that we need to launch a war on gangs of a similar magnitude and nature to the war on terror,” the CARICOM Chairman stated.
Dr Holness underscored the urgent need for Member States to collaborate in dismantling the resources that fuel criminal organisations, particularly their access to financial systems.
Referencing a July 2024 United Nations report, Dr. Holness noted findings on the influence of gang activity in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. The report also highlighted a correlation between escalating drug production in South America, widespread firearm availability, and rising homicide rates.
Dr Holness further stated that the deteriorating security situation in Haiti serves as a stark warning and a call to immediate, coordinated regional action.
“It is the organisation of violence for profit. It is not merely street-level, dispossessed, socially excluded youngsters. There is a level of intelligence, a level of resources, a level of organisation that has been brought to crime and violence, which is being used for profit, stated the Prime Minister.
Adding, “My own view is that policy and jurisprudence need to evolve to address this matter.”
The Prime Minister underscored the immense scale and complexity of crime affecting the Region, cautioning that it cannot be resolved overnight or through short-term efforts.
He emphasised that a durable solution will require robust investment and widespread public engagement across the Community, noting that unified support is essential to effectively confront the threat.
Helpful Links:
UNODC, Caribbean Gangs “Drugs, firearms, and gang networks in Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago”, 2024
Keynote Address | Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP | Prime Minister of Jamaica | Chairman of CARICOM | 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government| 6 July 2025
The developments were highlighted during a virtual meeting which the Secretary-General convened with Executive Directors and other senior officials of Community Institutions on Tuesday, 29 April.
The Meeting, attended by more than 50 participants, explored matters including the way forward against the background of declining international development assistance.
Representatives shared on the implications of funding cuts and the imposition of tariffs on weather forecasting, disaster management, health, and education, information-sharing, research, networking and procurement.
Shortly after the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in February, the Secretary-General held discussions with regional institutions whose mandates include weather forecasting and climate resilience, disaster management and health.
The Secretary-General will formally engage the heads of Institutions again in September.
]]>“Sometimes we focus on the challenges, but our conversation today was more about the opportunities for meaningful engagement with young people. We spoke about mental health and well-being and the experience of CARICOM with the strong leadership of our young people to find solutions.” – Dr Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs
Dr Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, says CARICOM and the UN are working on strengthening collaboration on meaningful youth participation in decision-making and building trust for youth to engage in institutional spaces.
Dr Paullier met with CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General Ms Elizabeth Solomon on Tuesday, 25 March, at the CARICOM Secretariat to discuss areas for collaboration in youth development.
“Sometimes we focus on the challenges, but our conversation today was more about the opportunities for meaningful engagement with young people. We spoke about mental health and well-being and the experience of CARICOM with the strong leadership of our young people to find solutions,” stated Dr Paullier.
He provides further insight into the collaboration in the video below.
CARICOM Heads of Government continue to be actively concerned about the implications of crime and violence on the social development of the Region. To date, two symposiums on Crime and Violence as a Public Health Issue have been convened, keeping at the forefront of the deliberations the importance of balancing the rights of the individual and the public safety interests of the whole of society.
Beverly Harry-Emmanuel, Advisor, Social Development, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) SecretariatAdvisor for Social Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Ms Beverly Harry-Emmanuel, says CARICOM Heads of Government continue to be actively concerned about the implications of crime and violence for the Region’s social development.
Delivering remarks at the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security’s (CARICOM IMPACS) Observance of International Women’s Day, she stated:
“To date, two symposiums on Crime and Violence as a Public Health Issue have been convened, keeping at the forefront of the deliberations the importance of balancing the rights of the individual and the public safety interests of the whole of society. A significant outcome of these symposia was the agreement to “strengthen the development of security as a fourth pillar of the Community, so that collectively we can better address the extra-territorial threats to citizen security; including strengthening the capacity of the Community’s Security and Justice agencies to adopt and implement a public health approach.” This declaration is a clear signal of how CARICOM views its role in protecting human rights, democracy, peace and security in our Region.”
Additionally, she highlighted that the CARICOM Secretariat continues to work with Member States to adopt the Regional Common Standards for Police and Justice Agencies to mitigate Violence against Women and Girls and Family Violence. She explained that the adoption of the Standards will strengthen systems to hold perpetrators accountable for violence while ensuring victim safety and strengthening societal messaging that gender-based and family violence are unacceptable in any measure or circumstance.
Please read her complete remarks below:
REMARKS FROM
BEVERLY HARRY-EMMANUEL
ADVISOR, SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) SECRETARIAT
OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
12 JANUARY 2025
Ladies and gentlemen
I welcome this opportunity to address you this morning. On behalf of all of us at the CARICOM Secretariat, I applaud CARICOM IMPACS, under the astute leadership of Colonel Michael Jones, for hosting this event to mark International Women’s Day 2025, which was observed on Friday, 7 March. The Secretariat is pleased to be associated with this event. Allow me to share some thoughts for consideration during the discussions to follow around our theme, “Strength and Resilience of Women on the Frontline.”
As we join the international community in observing this important occasion, we must acknowledge that we have made noteworthy strides forward in achieving gender equality. Globally, there have been significant legal reforms to advance gender equality and to address violence against women and girls. Regionally, our legislatures reflect increasing representation by women. However, women still have only 64% of the legal rights of men (UN Women, 2024).
According to UN Women, in 2024, 44% of countries showed improvements in the quality of education, training, and lifelong learning among women and girls. Girls surpass boys in upper-secondary completion rates in most regions, including ours. A question for exploration is whether there is correlation among the higher levels of educational achievements of women and girls, social cohesion and increasing incidences of crime and violence which disproportionally threaten the right to life, liberty and security of women and girls.
CARICOM Heads of Government continue to be actively concerned about the implications of crime and violence on the social development of the Region. To date, two symposiums on Crime and Violence as a Public Health Issue have been convened, keeping at the forefront of the deliberations the importance of balancing the rights of the individual and the public safety interests of the whole of society.
A significant outcome of these symposia was the agreement to “strengthen the development of security as a fourth pillar of the Community, so that collectively we can better address the extra-territorial threats to citizen security; including strengthening the capacity of the Community’s Security and Justice agencies to adopt and implement a public health approach.” This declaration is a clear signal of how CARICOM views its role in protecting human rights, democracy, peace and security in our Region. Through its Directorate of Human and Social Development, the Secretariat is already deploying resources to enhance citizens’ security.
Additionally, forms of violence such as the trafficking of persons, sexual exploitation, and the use of electronic media, particularly online platforms, have far-reaching social, economic and developmental consequences for individuals and society.
The statistics suggest that, as a group, women and girls are disproportionally affected. Moreover, National Prevalence Surveys on Gender Based Violence confirm that nearly 1 out of 2 of ever-partnered women aged 15-64 have experienced one or more of the four types of intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime (physical, sexual, psychological and/or economic). This reality presents a major impediment to the security and integrity of the women of the region. There is room for much more to be done in the areas of legal protection and enforcement and for individual and collective ownership of the responsibility to act to reverse these trends.
The CARICOM Secretariat continues to work with Member States to adopt the Regional Common Standards for Police and Justice Agencies to mitigate Violence against Women and Girls and Family Violence. Adoption will strengthen systems to hold perpetrators accountable for violence while ensuring victim safety and strengthening societal messaging that gender-based and family violence are unacceptable in any measure or circumstance.
Please permit me to turn our attention to the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda established under the United Nations’ Security Council Resolution 1325, which provides a critical framework for embedding gender perspectives into peace and security efforts. This Agenda emphasises the importance of full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding processes. The integration of gender considerations into security policies and initiatives enables Caribbean nations to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of their peace and development efforts, support inter-agency collaboration and address the impact of violence including those associated with transnational organised crime.
Moreover, the Women Peace and Security Agenda recognises that the effects of climate change in the region bear significant financial, infrastructural and social implications, especially with regard to gender inequalities as the impacts of natural disasters often amplify pre-existing vulnerabilities with the potential to push women and marginalised groups even further into the margins through increased incidents of intimate partner violence, heightened economic insecurity, and heavier work burdens to ensure survival.
Gentlemen in the audience, allow me a minute to specifically address the women present and all those who would hear this message. Sisters, we know that we are resourceful and that we have the capability to instigate, lead, achieve and sustain the changes that are required to drive the development of women and our region. This capacity is almost instinctual. We do it every day on behalf of our families and ourselves.
The Community is currently crafting a Gender Development Policy. Seize this opportunity in whatever capacity, whether civil society, government, expert or citizen -Caribbean Woman to be advocates and key actors in the process, to ensure that an environment emerges that supports full and sustainable participation of women and girls in the development of our Region.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for this opportunity to participate in today’s discussions.
]]>“We must take a very strong approach to it from a legislative perspective to create the laws that will enable us to have surveillance to detain them – of course, within the accepted rules of human rights and the treatment of citizens – but certainly, there needs to be what we call in Jamaica enhanced measures to treat with this new and emerging threat to our democracy.”
Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew HolnessJamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries must adopt a strong stance on incidents of gang violence, stating that they “must now be regarded as acts of terrorism”.
The Prime Minister, speaking at the closing press conference following the three-day 48th Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Leaders in Barbados, said that “enhanced measures” are needed to tackle gang violence as an emerging threat to democracy in the Region.
“I think the Region should begin to consider carefully that the level of criminal enterprise that exists is at some times over and beyond the capacity of regular law enforcement and regular legislative tools that are available to treat with ordinary criminality,” stated Prime Minister Holness. He added, “The use of violence in a criminal pursuit and then the spread of fear, sometimes deliberate, that comes from that, to weaken States, to undermine institutions, to corrupt public officials, to make the state incapable of addressing the issue, should not be treated as ordinary criminality.”
He referred to Haiti as the obvious example. He cited incidents of extreme gang violence emerging in other CARICOM territories “with gangs that are arming themselves deliberately, stockpiling weapons, seeking, as I’ve said before, to capture communities and corrupt public officials, that should not be considered as ordinary criminality.”
Transnational crime
The Prime Minister underscored that violence of this nature is a threat to the State, and Caribbean nations must face that squarely and deal with it accordingly.
“These are acts of terror, and they are oftentimes transnational. The criminals in Trinidad may have links to criminals in Jamaica. Certainly, the criminals in Haiti are transporting guns to Jamaica and possibly likewise. Certainly, criminals in Miami…some of them are our nationals, are illegally trafficking weapons to Kingston, and therefore, the government of Jamaica alone trying to treat with the issue would not be as effective as if we had a global approach, a regional approach, and certainly a CARICOM approach to treating with this issue of criminal enterprise. We call them gangs, but I maintain that that is a euphemism. They are not just socially marginalised youngsters who have been deprived of social and economic opportunities,” asserted the Prime Minister.
Criminal Enterprise
Prime Minister Holness underscored that some criminal gangs are operating as enterprises or businesses to weaken governments.
]]>“We must take a very strong approach to it from a legislative perspective to create the laws that will enable us to have surveillance to detain them – of course, within the accepted rules of human rights and the treatment of citizens – but certainly, there needs to be what we call in Jamaica enhanced measures to treat with this new and emerging threat to our democracy,” urged the Prime Minister.
“We also expect that these acts – using the tools of trade of the criminals at large in our communities from The Bahamas to Suriname, Saint Lucia to Trinidad and Tobago – that they be deemed to be acts of terrorism and allow us to view them, not only the executive, but by our judiciary and allow us to fashion the appropriate legislation.”
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr The Hon. Keith RowleyTrinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr The Hon. Keith Rowley says CARICOM leaders deem the current surge of violent crime affecting Member States as “acts of terrorism.”
“We also expect that these acts – using the tools of trade of the criminals at large in our communities from The Bahamas to Suriname, Saint Lucia to Trinidad and Tobago – that they be deemed to be acts of terrorism and allow us to view them, not only the executive, but by our judiciary and allow us to fashion the appropriate legislation,” stated Dr Rowley.
Addressing the media following the three-day 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in Barbados, Prime Minister Rowley also revealed that leaders will continue to treat violence as a public health issue, noting the impact on communities and the public health system.
“So we adopted the working definition of crime and violence as a public health issue since the effect on human conditions is such that violent crime – largely carried out by firearms – 80% of the killings that we are experiencing are done by firearms – and 90% of those firearms are coming to us from one particular source. So we agree that this is a public health issue, and of course, we will continue to engage it as such,” said Dr Rowley.
George-Bridge and Needham’s Point Declarations integral to crime fighting
The Prime Minister shared that the George-Bridge and Needham’s Point Declarations are fundamental to the leaders’ holistic approach to tackling crime. He reiterated that the George-Bridge Declaration was approved by leaders at the Second Regional Symposium: Violence as a Public Health Issue — The Crime Challenge in Guyana. He stated that they would continue to support the aims and recommendations of Needham’s Point Declaration. “These are all positions taken by CARICOM Heads, which should flow into actions through legislative and other arrangements,” emphasised Dr Rowley.
Crime: One of the highest hurdles for CARICOM Leaders to overcome
While providing details of the strategic plan by leaders to tackle crime, Prime Minister Rowley admitted that crime continues to be a significant challenge for the body.
“So basically, these are the foundational things that we are doing at the level of the Heads – acknowledging that one of the highest hurdles that we are required to overcome and to treat with at this time is the high level of violent crime in our societies and the organised commercial arrangements of criminals who terrorise our populations, whether they are large ones or smaller ones in the community,” underscored Dr Rowley.
However, leaders expect that the agreed decisions would make significant changes to the current state of crime in the Region.
]]>Dr Rowley added, “So we maintain our high priority on that, and we expect that the changes that we are about to bring about in a number of areas – in a holistic way – would see us getting the upper hand and reversing the trend, which in some instances are in fact threatening the very sovereignty of the States in which we live.”
“The Community remains committed to collaborating with Haiti in its pursuit of lasting peace, security, economic prosperity and social progress, which are stepping stones to the quality of life that the people of Haiti fully deserve and the prosperity and advancement to which all Caribbean citizens aspire.“
CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla BarnettAhead of Haiti’s Two Hundred and Twenty-First Anniversary of Independence on 1 January 2025, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett has said that the Region remains committed to a long-term plan for peace and security within the Member State.
“CARICOM remains in solidarity with Haiti as a valued Member of the Caribbean Community, supporting its efforts to strengthen national institutions, reform its constitution, and revitalise its electoral and governance processes,” asserted Dr Barnett.
She noted that the Community remains resolute in collaborating with Haiti to pursue lasting peace, security, economic prosperity and social progress, which she described as the “stepping stones to the quality of life that the people of Haiti fully deserve.”
Please view Dr Barnett’s message below.
“Excellency,
The Caribbean Community extends warm congratulations to the Government and People of the Republic of Haiti on the achievement of its Two Hundred and Twenty-First Anniversary of Independence.
The historical significance of Haiti’s independence continues to inspire the Caribbean Community. This occasion is cause for celebration and pride in the indomitable resilience of the Haitian people, who persevere in the face of many challenges.
CARICOM remains in solidarity with Haiti as a valued Member of the Caribbean Community, supporting its efforts to strengthen national institutions, reform its constitution, and revitalise its electoral and governance processes.
Moreover, the Community remains committed to collaborating with Haiti in its pursuit of lasting peace, security, economic prosperity and social progress, which are stepping stones to the quality of life that the people of Haiti fully deserve, and the prosperity and advancement to which all Caribbean citizens aspire.
I join the Community in marking this significant achievement with the Republic of Haiti, and extend best wishes for the continued advancement and well-being of its People.”
]]>As the Region seeks to consolidate integration in the year ahead, we look forward to continued collaboration with our stakeholders and partners, including the CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors and CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, as well as the guidance of the Bureau of the Conference, which will comprise Barbados, Grenada and Jamaica effective 1 January 2025.
CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla BarnettThroughout 2024, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat remained focused on supporting efforts to deepen regional integration and improve the welfare of the Region’s citizens.
Under the decisive leadership of the Conference of Heads of Government, we advanced many of the Region’s key priorities. Food and nutrition security was boosted through the 25 by 2025 initiative; there were efforts to improve air and maritime transportation in the Region and advance implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and initiatives to stem the worrying issue of crime and violence.
We continued to take advantage of opportunities in regional and international fora to advocate for decisive climate action by the international community to keep temperatures to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. We also called for urgent attention to honour commitments made to provide climate financing. The Bridgetown Initiative and implementation of the multilaterally agreed Multidimensional Vulnerability Index remain critical to ensuring that CARICOM Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States (SIDS) receive the resources needed to increase and sustain resilience.
Great effort was expended throughout the year by CARICOM leaders and the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) towards the resumption of functional governance and security in Haiti, by ensuring Haitian-led and Haitian-owned solutions to the ongoing crises. Regrettably, the growing insecurity caused by gang violence remains a serious threat to the aspirations and hopes of the people of Haiti, as many thousands of persons continue to be displaced, and are victims of violence and food insecurity.
In July, the record-breaking Hurricane Beryl severely impacted agriculture, fisheries, communications and transportation in several countries of the Region. However, in the true spirit of Community, our Member States and Regional Institutions rallied to support each other.
The signing of the CARICOM-African Union Memorandum of Understanding in the latter half of the year will promote the strengthening of economic, cultural, political and fraternal relationships between CARICOM and Africa, which will also be bolstered by the increased opportunities for trade, investment and tourism between CARICOM and Africa.
We acknowledge the strong participation of our Member States, International Development Partners, the private sector, labour organisations, the diaspora, and civil society in initiatives to strengthen the pillars of our integration movement. In this regard, for their sterling contribution to the Region, two Community stalwarts, Sir Clive Lloyd and the Honourable Roderick Rainford, were awarded the Order of the Caribbean Community, the Region’s highest honour, at the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.
As the Region seeks to consolidate integration in the year ahead, we look forward to continued collaboration with our stakeholders and partners, including the CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors and CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, as well as the guidance of the Bureau of the Conference, which will comprise Barbados, Grenada and Jamaica effective 1 January 2025.
My sincere thanks to all the staff of the Secretariat at our Georgetown Headquarters and our offices in Barbados and Jamaica, for their unswerving dedication to the work of the Community.
I wish for all peace, success and prosperity in 2025 and safety during the Season’s festivities.
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