Chair of the Committee, Director General of CARIFORUM, Ms. Alexis Downes-Amsterdam expressed gratitude to the European Commission for its continued support for the CARIFORUM Directorate to deliver important coordination and advisory services to Member States.

Mr. Felipe De la Mota, Team Leader, Regional Cooperation and Trade at the Delegation of the EU to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and CARIFORUM reiterated the EU’s commitment to the successful execution of the Programme.

Since its creation in 1992, CARIFORUM has been mainly supported by the EU. The “Support to CARIFORUM in effective implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, regional coordination on trade and EU cooperation” Programme maintains that support up to May 2027. It allows CARIFORUM to build on the results obtained under previous programmes, including for the implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA.

The Programme also assists in coordinating the trading and cooperation relationship with the European Union through technical capacity building, improving regional coordination and increasing awareness of the EPA.

Let me acknowledge Senator Janice Allen, representing the Leader of the Opposition,

Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General,

Chief Ministers and Ministers of Government,

Members of the Judiciary,

The newly installed president of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the Honourable Mr. Justice Winston Anderson,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Representatives of regional and international organizations,

Distinguished delegates,

Specially invited guests,

Members of the media,

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Jamaica!

We are delighted that you have joined us on my assumption of the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for the remainder of 2025. I thank my colleague and friend, the Honourable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, for ably steering us through the first six months of the year, and she has done so with the fervor, determination, and eloquence for which she is well known and admired.

I want to thank you, Mia, because we started out at the same time. I was a bit worried when you said, ‘young and romantic then,’ and you caught up to say, ‘still young and romantic now,’ so we are still in the same category, but I also thought that you would’ve used another one of Jimmy Cliff’s great songs. Yes, we all can see clearly after the event, after the challenge, and after we have exercised our duties. We all should be aspirational, and we all should hope for the best, and we all should persevere.

Yes, we can get it if we really want it, but upon assuming this role, I’m also cognizant, Mia, as your presentation would’ve alerted us to, there are still many rivers to cross. So, my job will be to get us across those rivers safely and get across as many of them as possible. And don’t worry, you are in safe hands.

I am especially pleased that so many of my colleagues are here in Montego Bay, some of whom were with me in 2018. I’m looking at one of my political fathers, Ralph Gonsalves, but allow me to take time to congratulate my friend, the Honourable John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize, whose government was reelected in March.

Though her delegation is not here, I must congratulate the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, newly elected Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. We also acknowledge the return to office of the Honourable David Burt as Premier of Bermuda and the Honourable Charles Washington Misick as Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands. In her absence, we acknowledge the election of the Honourable Cora Richardson-Hodge, Premier of Anguilla, who is the first woman to serve in this distinguished capacity.

We have some special guests with us, His Excellency Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary-General of the International Criminal Police Organization, INTERPOL, and we look forward to the fruitful exchanges that we will have with him to further enrich our partnerships at all levels.

I’m also pleased to welcome our special guest, His Excellency Albert Ramdin, a son of CARICOM, and the first from our region to serve as Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, the OAS.

I also wish to acknowledge and once more welcome Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of CARICOM, and her team, with whom I’ll be working even more closely since assuming the chair of the Community. Thank you, Secretary-General, and your team, for your usual support.

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our theme, “People, Partnership, Prosperity: Promoting a Secure and Sustainable Future,“ captures the essence of our regional purpose. It reflects a profound truth that security and resilience are not optional. They are foundations for prosperity. People-centred development and strategic partnerships are not merely aspirational; they are essential.

As small states, we are vulnerable not just to global economic shocks and natural hazards, but to being marginalized in a world where power and influence often outweigh genuine need. And that is why we must think strategically, act collaboratively, and remain focused on the values and interests that unite us.

Prime Minister Mottley expressed, as I’ve said quite eloquently, many of the threats that we face, which, as small countries, we grapple with. Oftentimes as leaders, as we contemplate these challenges and we look at our size relative to the rest of the world, it can be daunting. Sometimes we may have the expectation that exceptions will be made for us and that our case will be treated with deference and deferential favour. But I think that as we enter into the new order that seems to be emerging in the world, we must be strategic. We must strengthen our institutions. We must take responsibility for our own destiny because that is the only way we’re going to really get it if we really want it.

It means we must focus on people because human development must be the center of the integration mission. It must be the center of the development mission, ensuring food security, access to decent work, climate protection, and, importantly, opportunities for our youth, who make up 60% of our population. We must focus on people.

We must also focus on partnerships because global progress is built on networks of trust. We need stronger ties within CARICOM and with strategic global partners in Africa, North and South America, Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East. In the new dispensation, which is emerging, it is clear that the world is not unipolar and that there are opportunities that we must explore. There are gains that we have left on the table unexplored, and as a Community, we must strengthen South-South cooperation. We must strengthen our trade cooperation with Africa, and we must strengthen our internal cooperation. The resources in CARICOM are sufficient for us to provide for the needs of our people. Guyana with energy and land, Suriname with energy and land, Trinidad, and Jamaica with incredible human resources.

What has stopped us for these many years? We have been saying we really want to get it. Did we really want it?

I think that the emerging global situation must now push us to really get it. We can get it because the time to get prosperity for our people is now. But that prosperity must be inclusive. It can’t be for some; it must be for everyone in this region, including our brothers and sisters in Haiti. It must be sustainable, and it must be resilient.

Sustainability and resilience are the two new buzzwords now that every government must focus on, and so it is that the policies that we will pursue in CARICOM, whatever they are, whether they are the institutional structures that we will have to reexamine, the trade policies that we will have to pursue, or the security policies that we will have to pursue, they must be pursued through the lens of sustainability and resilience.

Jamaica will continue to champion initiatives that will make these three pillars—People, Partnerships and Prosperity—not just aspirational, because we have seen leaders come before with these aspirations. We have seen the words expressed before. The problem has always been our ability to be bold enough, strategic enough, systematic enough, and disciplined enough to convert these dreams and aspirations and these words into reality.

 The presence of delegations from 48 countries today is a powerful statement of global confidence in CARICOM and in our shared agenda. We are meeting at a time of intense international activity. In the months ahead, CARICOM will engage the world through the second CARICOM-Africa Summit in Ethiopia and during the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

As small, vulnerable states, the unavoidable reality of the climate crisis stands as a sobering reminder each year, especially during the annual hurricane season. And as we prepare for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, our call is urgent and clear. The promises of the Paris Agreement must be met both in emissions reductions and access to climate finance at the level and scale required. Our discussions tomorrow will give special attention to COP 30 preparations and climate finance, which remain defining issues for our region’s survival and prosperity.

For others, the issue of climate change may be an academic discussion between scientists trying to determine whether the data set is accurate or whether historically climate has changed over time, and therefore, climate change now is nothing new; it is an academic discourse. But last year, just around this time, Jamaica was staring down the earliest-forming and probably the quickest-forming Category 4 hurricane, which devastated a third of our island. So, for us, climate change is not an academic discussion. Climate change is real.

We live it almost every day, and the impact of this must be understood from the fiscal level and the need for financing, but certainly because of our size. A weather event in Texas, and our sympathies and condolences go out to the people of the United States, particularly the people of Texas, who were impacted by the recent weather events, which resulted in flooding. But the impact of this will have no effect on the overall fiscal situation of the United States. A similar weather event in any of our economies would have a devastating effect, and therefore, we must continue to strongly advocate for climate justice and climate financing. You have my assurance that Jamaica will continue to be a strong advocate for climate justice and climate finance.

Friends, there can be no sustained prosperity without security. A July 2024 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime entitled “Caribbean Gangs: Drugs, Firearms, and Gang Networks in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago” points to a worrying combination of risk factors, including surging drug production in South America, the proliferation and competition of transnational and local gangs, and the high availability and use of firearms that have contributed to soaring homicide rates. If the situation in Haiti is an indicator, these are not ordinary times, and they require urgent action. We must dismantle the influence of gangs in our communities, disrupt their financing, and cut off access to weapons.

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. Aside from the climate threat, the threat that is most likely to have an existential threat in the near term for many of our states would be the growth of gangs. Many Caribbean states, by virtue of our history and the kind of civilization that we wish to develop, would seem to categorize gangs as a social problem, a problem caused by alienation of youth, poverty, and breakdown in social mores and values, and therefore the policy response should be a social response, one that treats crime and violence as a public health crisis, and this is so. There is no question that it is a social problem why 90% of persons involved in crime are males, and speaking for Jamaica, 90% of victims of homicides are males. So yes, there is that strong social component. But I believe our society and the way in which we think about crime and violence need to evolve to accept and understand the evolved nature of the challenge we face.

And the truth is that what we are now facing is the organization of violence. It is the organization of violence for profit. It is not merely street-level dispossessed or socially excluded youngsters. There is a level of intelligence, a level of resources, and a level of organization that has been brought to crime, and violence is being used to support a profit motive. And my own view is that policy and jurisprudence need to evolve to address this matter. As I said, the situation in Haiti is only an example that we should look at very carefully.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Expo, which you can view just outside this room in a couple of minutes from now, is intended to spotlight our shared commitment to building a safer, more resilient region by exchanging ideas, innovations, and best practices. It is also an opportunity for you to see how the significant investments made by the Government of Jamaica in national security over the past nine years are yielding results in crime reduction and public safety.

I just want to say here that the scale and magnitude of the problem (crime), which is being faced by almost all member countries of CARICOM, cannot be addressed overnight. It took 40 years for the problem to emerge to where it is, and it will not be solved by short-term measures. It will require significant investment, but it will also require unified public support. As we observe the challenges in several of our member states and we see the rising homicide rates, we also see political dissonance, and so it is absolutely important that we come together as a region so that our individual publics can see and appreciate that they are not alone in this problem, that the gangs in Jamaica likely have a connection with gangs in St. Lucia, in Trinidad, in Haiti, or in the Bahamas, and that there needs to be joint, coordinated action from the regional level. And I believe, from what I have seen and experienced in working with my colleagues, that there is a strong appetite for regional cooperation to treat the security matters that are affecting our individual countries. And as chairman, you have my assurance that the matter of security, regionally and in terms of individual countries, will be a matter of great priority under my chairmanship.

The 49th Regular Meeting will also provide another critical platform for dialogue on the situation in Haiti. We remain committed to advancing solutions that promote peace, stability, and development for our sister nation and, by extension, the wider Community. Jamaica was one of the first countries to give a commitment that we would support Haiti with security personnel and to raise the call for support for Haiti. As Mia had pointed out, the appetite to support Haiti seemed to have been lost. The international momentum in support of Haiti seemed to have slowed. We cannot be true to our principles in CARICOM if we do not redouble our efforts in the international community to garner support for the mission in Haiti. We cannot leave our brothers and sisters in Haiti at the mercy of gangs. Haiti and the mobilization of international support for the security efforts in Haiti will be another area of significant effort and priority for CARICOM under my chairmanship.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, while not on the agenda, it is important that we take note of the outcome of last week’s Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), as stated in the Sevilla Commitment. Chief among these are the actions needed to close the $4 trillion SDG financing gap and advance a multilateral ecosystem that is more inclusive, representative, equitable, and effective.

Importantly, the conference secured reaffirmation of the special circumstances of Small Island Developing States and the ABAS agenda. Jamaica will continue to use our co-chairmanship of the UN Secretary-General’s SDGs Stimulus Group and the Group of Friends of SDG Financing at the UN for advocacy to ensure that the commitments made are not mere words on paper but translate into tangible outcomes for the benefit of future generations of the citizens of CARICOM.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, since its inception, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) has been acknowledged as holding seeds of great potential, yet many aspects of operationalization continue to elude us, including that of free movement. As the world presses us to strengthen our collective self-sufficiency, we can feel encouraged that 2025 has already marked a turning point with the completion of the signature by participating member states of the Protocol of Enhanced Cooperation. This development represents a timely and valuable opportunity to accelerate the efforts of countries. I look forward to our discussions in this context.

Jamaica recently became the eighth country to have participated in national consultations on the implementation of CSME initiatives with the active support of the CARICOM Secretariat. These broad-based engagements across the region are designed to deepen stakeholder understanding of the CSME and to showcase the concrete benefits it offers. They represent an important step towards building broader public support and strengthening confidence in the integration process. We commend the secretariat on its selection and appointment of CSME youth ambassadors who will also be engaged in this process.

As CARICOM leads external trade negotiations, I will continue to work with my colleagues to facilitate reasonable and balanced recommendations on how we can best navigate certain dynamics, ensure that our voices are heard in all relevant fora, and ensure that our perspectives advance the objectives of a free, transparent, rules-based, inclusive, and equitable multilateral trading system. Our heads subcommittee for this area convenes again this week, and we’ll report back to the plenary.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, this conference will address a wide range of human and social development issues, telecommunications, transport, industrial growth, and demographic shifts. Alongside these functional priorities, it is clear that key institutional aspects of our regional movement now require renewed focus as we strive to strengthen both internal coordination and external partnerships.

Allow me to say a few words about youth engagement because I am resolute in my belief that young people must have a voice in shaping the decisions that affect their future. Youth across the region have thoughts and ideas about what we are trying to put in place for them and future generations. As key drivers and consumers of technological advancement, they hold immense potential to contribute meaningfully to our development goals. It is important that we engage them in a deliberate, sustained, and meaningful way. Let this meeting send a clear signal that we believe in our youth, we include them in the decision-making process for their future, and their inclusion is not just symbolic but real.

And as we’re talking about youth, who are oftentimes the main consumers of technology, social media, and artificial intelligence, I’m very happy that Mia has raised this issue publicly, as we have internally and within our own countries and Cabinets discussed the impact of how our culture, the essence of who we are, is being changed in dramatic ways that are having a significant negative impact on our societies. This is not a call to regulate, to restrict, or to censor, but I believe that if we are not careful, the Caribbean civilization, quoting Mia’s characterization of who we are and what we’re trying to build, could easily evaporate. And so, as we talk about our youth, we must include them in a discussion about how we preserve our culture, our values, our mores, and how we preserve the Caribbean people.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it would be difficult to speak about our priorities as a region without acknowledging the broader global context in which we operate. From the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to the escalating tensions in the Middle East, to the prolonged war in Ukraine, and underreported conflicts in Africa, each speaks to a more divided and fragile world. These realities affect us through energy prices, food insecurity, migration, and more. In this moment, we must be resolute in preserving CARICOM as a zone of peace and reaffirm our commitments to working with the international community to promote de-escalation, uphold diplomacy, and pursue lasting solutions grounded in dialogue and mutual respect. We have a lot of ground to cover over the next few days. Hopefully, we’ll cross some of the rivers that I have outlined, but certainly we will prepare the next generation to be able to cross those rivers. We will get it because we really want it.

So, as I conclude, I draw inspiration from the words of The Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero, who urged us to take advantage of every opportunity and, where there is none, make it ourselves.

And in the spirit of possibility, we are reminded by the great Sir Derek Walcott that there is always more to see. Let us therefore move forward with clarity, with a sense of optimism that yes, we can get it, but also with a deep sense of purpose and understanding of what the realities we face are, with no expectations of favours from the world. We are independent, we are strong, and we have what it takes to fulfil the CARICOM dream of prosperity for all our people. Let us reignite and reaffirm our unity as one Caribbean people with purpose and pride. We will get it because we really want it, and it’s now clearer for us to cross all the rivers that are there.

God bless you and thank you.

“Together, we have nurtured a strong Caribbean identity that transcends borders, that is admired globally, and to which others aspire. As we begin our deliberations for this Forty-Ninth Meeting of the Conference, I encourage of us  to retain our focus on the purpose of our partnership, which is the prosperity, security and well-being of all the people of our Region.”

Monday 7 July 2025 (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown):  The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) officially commenced the Forty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Sunday, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to regional cooperation, integration, and sustainable development. The Meeting is being held under the theme “People, Partnerships, Prosperity: Promoting a Secure and Prosperous Future.”

Delivering remarks at the Opening Ceremony, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett extended gratitude to Dr The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister of Jamaica, and the Government and People of Jamaica for the warm hospitality and for providing an environment conducive to productive deliberations.

“Jamaica features highly in CARICOM’s history,” stated Dr Barnett “This ‘Land of Wood and Water’ was one of the first four nations to signal its commitment to our integration movement by signing the Original Treaty of Chaguaramas in 1973. The Rose Hall Declaration, which aimed to deepen integration and strengthen governance in CARICOM, was adopted here at the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in July 2003. Several other pivotal Regular Meetings of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government have also been hosted here.”

Reflecting on over 50 years of regional integration, the Secretary-General acknowledged both the accomplishments and the persistent implementation challenges, particularly in relation to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

“The CARICOM Single Market and Economy, which is designed to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, finances and people, in the interest of increased economic and market efficiency, continues to fall behind expectations. We hope that this Meeting will see a recommitment to strengthening the implementation of the CSME, with a view to ensuring that all aspects of the regimes can be evenly and effectively implemented across the Region, as intended by the framers of theTreaty.”

The CARICOM Secretary-General concluded with a call to action rooted in shared values and mutual responsibility.

“As much as we remain committed to the aims and objectives set out in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, we must also remain cognisant that moving forward is more difficult for some of us. In the spirit of family, we should seek to address the concerns of all if we are to be a Community that benefits everyone in the Region. As several of our regional statesmen have been known to say, “If CARICOM did not exist, we would have to invent it”.

She added, “And, to borrow from one of Jamaica’s national icons, Honourable Robert Nesta Marley, our guiding principle must continue to be “one love, one heart, one destiny.”

As the Meeting proceeds, CARICOM Heads of Government are expected to engage in substantive discussions and adopt decisions that further the prosperity, security, and sustainable development of the Caribbean Community.

Gratitude to Outgoing CARICOM Chair  

The Secretary-General gave special recognition to the Outgoing Chair of the Conference, the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP, Prime Minister of Barbados, for her strategic leadership over the past six months amid evolving geopolitical challenges.

“As we grappled with worrying geopolitical issues over the last six months, CARICOM has been led with decisiveness and foresight by the Outgoing Chair, Honourable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. Prime Minister Mottley, we thank you for your dedication to amplifying the Region’s voice on important issues and to its economic advancement, including through your leadership of the ongoing initiatives to strengthen the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).”

Leaders welcomed to the Conference

Prime Minister Holness was formally welcomed as the Incoming Chair of the Conference. Dr Barnett underscored that as CARICOM’s Lead Head for External Trade Negotiations, he is well-positioned to guide the Community through the complexities of global commerce. His efforts in supporting stability in Haiti were also acknowledged as exemplary of Jamaica’s leadership role in regional affairs.

The CARICOM Secretary-General highlighted that the Meeting also marked the return of several leaders who were re-elected: Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; Honourable John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize; His Excellency Gilmar Pisas, Prime Minister of Curaçao. She also recognized newly-elected leaders: Honourable Cora Richardson-Hodge, Premier of Anguilla (the first woman to hold this position) and Honourable Andre Ebanks, Premier of the Cayman Islands

CCJ President

She highlighted the inauguration of Honourable Mr Justice Winston Anderson of Jamaica as President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and noted that his elevation was warmly received as a moment of pride for the Region.

“We look forward to the benefit of your experience, intellect and well-known dedication to the rule of law, as we collectively seek to deliver enhanced frameworks for justice within the Community.”

18^th CARICOM Road Race

The recently concluded 18^th CARICOM Road Race was cited by Dr Barnett as a symbol of Caribbean unity in practice, encouraging healthy lifestyles and advancing the Region’s global advocacy on non-communicable diseases. She shared that CARICOM leaders also reaffirmed support for regional participation in the upcoming Fourth High-Level Meeting on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

About the Meeting

Jamaica is hosting the Forty-ninth (49th) Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from 6-8 July in Montego Bay, under the chairmanship of Dr The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, Chair, CARICOM and Prime Minister of Jamaica.

The Meeting is being held under the theme “People, Partnerships, Prosperity: Promoting a Secure and Prosperous Future.”

Read more about the Meeting here: https://caricom.org/49hgc/

“It’s an interesting journey for us. It’s a transformative journey that we have undertaken as a Region, and I’m happy to report that there have been positives; there have been some highlights that we are, in fact, proud of as a Region. And it says to us, we are progressing in a direction that once we’re able to keep the momentum and to keep our eyes on the ball, we should be able to achieve a majority of what it is that we want for regional food security,” Mr. Shaun Baugh, Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Programme Manager at the CARICOM Secretariat said in an interview with the Communications Unit.

Speaking ahead of the Forty-ninth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, set for 6-8 July 2025 in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Mr. Baugh shared a comprehensive update on the progress of the food security initiative that is aimed at reducing the Region’s food import bill.

The Heads of Government at their last meeting in February, extended the timeline of the initiative – renamed ’25 x 25+5′ – from 2025 to 2030 to build on its early successes.

Secretary-General Barnett was at the time addressing the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meeting being held in Abuja, Nigeria, 25-28 June. The theme of the meeting is ‘Progressive Unity in a Fractured World: Building a Global African Coalition for Development’.

“… geopolitical and geo-economic developments require careful handling. There needs to be positive alignment between economic and political interests, and redefinition of global partnerships into mechanisms that foster inclusive growth, sustainable development, and economic and climate resilience for developing countries. Building such resilience requires that Africa, like the Caribbean, retain access to affordable, long-term, concessional financing from multilateral development institutions. The Bridgetown Initiative version 3.0 provides a common platform for joint advocacy on the reform of the multilateral financial system, whose governance model continues to mirror outdated political alliances and economic constructs.  More than anything else, this situation serves as a basis for common cause between Africa and the Caribbean,” the Secretary-General said.

While the current realignment of global geopolitical and geo-economic interests will continue to pose significant challenges, Dr. Barnett said it creates opportunities for Africa and the Caribbean to strengthen cooperation to achieve common development goals.

“As I noted during the first CARICOM-Africa Summit, hosted by Kenya and held virtually in September 2021, CARICOM is committed to strengthening this cooperation, and building a mutually beneficial and stable partnership. Opportunities exist in areas such as trade and investment promotion, development finance, climate change, reparatory justice, mass media, and increased people-to-people contact. Moreover, a strong and mutually beneficial partnership between Africa and the Caribbean, underscored by the principle of progressive unity, can become the springboard for broader South-South cooperation that leverages comparative advantages, thereby creating strong economic growth and development trajectories,” Dr. Barnett said.

Please read the Secretary-General’s remarks below:

Ladies and gentlemen:

I am pleased to join you today for your 32^nd Annual Meeting and to reflect on the theme,“Progressive Unity in a Fractured World: Building a Global African Coalition for Development”.

Thank you for the courtesies which have been extended to my delegation since our arrival.

The Globalisation phenomenon in the twenty-first century was expected to enhance North-South relations and the interdependence of people worldwide. It was also anticipated that it would bring prosperity in the developing world, through increased efficiency of industries and competitiveness to drive growth and development. Instead, the world has devolved into what the World Economic Forum in its Global Risks Report 2025 has described as an “increasingly fractured global landscape, with escalating geopolitical, environmental, societal, and technological challenges”. 

Amidst these challenges, Africa, with a significant demographic advantage,^[1] natural resource base, untapped carbon markets and renewable energy, remains poised to become the next frontier of global economic growth. 

However, to realise this potential, Africa will not only need to harness its diversity, but also leverage its strategic assets to mitigate some of the geopolitical and geo-economic risks emanating from an increasingly polarised global environment.  In this regard, the concept of “progressive unity”, characterised by prioritising shared values, collective vision, dialogue, and collaborative action, must become the guiding principle for Africa’s interactions on the global stage.  Such interactions will require bold strategic choices rooted in African agency,^[2] innovative policies and strong global partnerships.

In this fractured environment, this is an opportunity for Africa, and the Caribbean, which is the home of a large contingent of the African diaspora – the Sixth Region – to build common cause on shared values and interests, and forge a path towards mutually beneficial collective action. 

The divisions created during the period of European colonisation of Africa and the Caribbean would remain, and even become further entrenched, without a focused intent on breaking down the barriers among us.

Both Regions have already started this journey to embrace a collective vision and to create a new model of collaboration in our mutual interests.

Like the Caribbean, Africa’s well-being is inextricably linked to global prosperity.  However, amidst trade tensions triggered by a rise in protectionist measures and growing policy uncertainty, global economic growth is now projected to slow down^[3]in 2025, and to remain tepid in the short-to-medium-term. This has caused a significant downward revision in the growth outlook for almost all countries, including in Africa and in the Caribbean, thereby making progress on key development goals more difficult.

More particularly, this prediction for global prosperity is accompanied by multiple shocks such as a downturn in global demand, lower prices for some key commodities, higher global borrowing costs, and constraints on external funding. These have serious implications for the growth and development trajectory of developing countries. Of grave concern is the breakdown of the rules-based international trading system, the disruption in trade and investment flows, and the increased decoupling of traditional trading partners from the current providers of development support. Developing countries, like those in Africa and the Caribbean, are the hardest hit, as heightened geopolitical tensions and reduced trade lead to a fall in foreign direct investment and the knowledge spillovers that are so critical to driving inclusive growth and sustainable development.

These geopolitical and geo-economic developments require careful handling. There needs to be positive alignment between economic and political interests, and redefinition of global partnerships into mechanisms that foster inclusive growth, sustainable development, and economic and climate resilience for developing countries.  Building such resilience requires that Africa, like the Caribbean, retain access to affordable, long-term, concessional financing from multilateral development institutions. The Bridgetown Initiative version 3.0 provides a common platform for joint advocacy on the reform of the multilateral financial system, whose governance model continues to mirror outdated political alliances and economic constructs.  More than anything else, this situation serves as a basis for common cause between Africa and the Caribbean.

A projected image of the CARICOM SEcretary-General addressing the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meeting

While the current realignment of global geopolitical and geo-economic interests will continue to pose significant challenges, it creates opportunities for Africa and the Caribbean to strengthen cooperation to achieve common development goals.  As I noted during the first CARICOM-Africa Summit, hosted by Kenya and held virtually in September 2021, CARICOM is committed to strengthening this cooperation, and building a mutually beneficial and stable partnership. Opportunities exist in areas such as trade and investment promotion, development finance, climate change, reparatory justice, mass media, and increased people to people contact. Moreover, a strong and mutually beneficial partnership between Africa and the Caribbean, underscored by the principle of progressive unity, can become the springboard for broader South-South cooperation that leverages comparative advantages, thereby creating strong economic growth and development trajectories. We look forward to exploring these possibilities during the Second CARICOM-Africa Summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on CARICOM-Africa Day on September 7 this year.

The foundations of African agency and the building of successful strategic partnerships have already been laid with the admission of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G-20.  This gives Africa an active voice on key global economic issues. The establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest free trade area, that is intended to create a single market for goods and services on the continent, is a major step towards,among other things, reducing intra-African trade barriers and developing African value chains and economic prosperity.

This institutional platform, along with mutually beneficial partnerships and alliances, will advance the ecosystem for building a Global African Coalition for Development, including the Caribbean.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

[1] Africa has a relatively young, growing population compared with the status quo in the advanced countries and by 2030, one-fifth of the world’s population will live in Africa.

[2] Africa’s ability to negotiate and bargain with external actors in a manner that is beneficial to Africans.

[3] Global economic growth now downgraded to 2.3 percent in 2025 almost half a percentage point below the January 2025 projection

Co-organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN ECLAC), the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), CETIC.br/NIC.br, The University of the West Indies (UWI), and the Internet Technical Community – including LACNIC, ICANN, the Internet Society, LACTLD, LAC-IX, ARIN and RedCLARA – the 2025 School focused on critical themes such as AI governance, meaningful connectivity, infrastructure resilience, policy frameworks, and financing for digital transformation.

The Opening Ceremony on 16 June featured interventions from regional leaders, each underscoring the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic policymaking in navigating the Caribbean’s digital future.

Mr. Demetris Herakleous, Associate Economic Affairs Officer at UN ECLAC, described the School as more than a training programme.

“It is a collective space for learning, exchange, and co-creation.” He highlighted that the Caribbean’s digital transformation must be people-centred, inclusive, and tailored to regional realities. “Digital tools can expand the rights and opportunities of all people in the region,” he affirmed, urging participants to engage fully in the week’s sessions and bring forward their lived experiences.

Mr. Bernardo Requena, CAF Director Representative for Trinidad and Tobago, called for “a bold rethinking of how the State delivers value in the digital age.” He cited inequality in connectivity, vulnerability to natural disasters, and regulatory fragmentation as challenges, but stressed that “the digital future we envision will not emerge by chance. It must be built together.”

Ms. Ana Laura Martínez, Coordinator at CETIC.br, celebrated the Caribbean’s growing engagement with digital transformation. “Apps from countries across the region have nearly doubled since last year,” she noted. She championed the importance of evidence-based policymaking and robust ICT statistics to shape inclusive digital policies, reminding attendees that “digital transformation is not only a technological process, but a socio-technical one.”

Dr. Kim Mallalieu, Chair of UWI St. Augustine Campus ICT Steering Committee, called on participants to “contemplate the possibilities for uniquely Caribbean solutions to our unique challenges.” She emphasised that digital transformation is a strategic enabler for operational efficiency and regional resilience and encouraged active engagement throughout the week to harness the Caribbean’s “prime real estate for digital innovation.”

Mr. Cory Belfon, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, delivered an address on behalf of Minister Dominic Smith. He underscored the School’s significance as a forum for “capacity building, knowledge exchange, challenging perspectives, and pursuing collaborative solutions.” He highlighted artificial intelligence and regional cooperation as critical focus areas, noting that “the Caribbean’s digital transformation is not something to be outsourced or left to chance.”

The five-day programme featured a rigorous agenda of lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and case studies. Thematic sessions explored a range of topics, including the role and future of the Internet; ethical and regulatory frameworks for AI; regional cybersecurity; and digital public infrastructure and legal enablers, such as data protection and e-signatures.

Participants from ministries of digital transformation, planning, finance, trade, and legal affairs across the region, along with regulators, chambers of commerce, and international organisations, shared insights and best practices, contributing to a rich peer-learning environment.

During the closing ceremony on 20 June, Dr. Mallalieu reaffirmed UWI’s long-term commitment to capacity-building, research, and regional development, highlighting the university’s legacy of producing thought leaders in telecommunications and digital policy. She acknowledged the tireless efforts of the organising partners and thanked participants for their dynamic contributions throughout the programme.

Certificates of participation were awarded to individuals who completed at least two-thirds of the sessions.

The 2025 edition of SoDTIC reaffirmed the region’s dedication to shaping a digital transformation agenda that is equitable, resilient, and tailored to Caribbean realities. As echoed throughout the event, the digital future must be one that is built collaboratively; informed by evidence; and rooted in regional cooperation.

The Meeting convenes 6-8 July, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, as the Chair. Prime Minister Holness assumes the six-month rotating Chairmanship of the Community on 1 July 2025.

Discussions will be held under the theme: ‘People, Partnerships, Prosperity: Promoting a Secure and Sustainable Future’, which Secretary-General Barnett said reflects CARICOM’s strategic focus on working collaboratively to ensure that “future generations of our Region will be resilient, and safe, and will thrive.”

In a video message ahead of the Meeting, the Secretary-General said the Heads of Government will also focus on emerging geopolitical issues, including the impact of US tariffs on the Region, and how the provisions of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) can contribute to national and regional growth and sustainable development.

“Our expectation is that this Meeting of the Conference will engender those discussions and decisions that will lead to meaningful outcomes for the Caribbean Community,” she said in the message.

Listen to the message below:

Key outcomes of the meeting included progress on the draft Regional Industrial Policy; agreements to move forward with the revisions to CARICOM’s main trading instruments, the Common External Tariff (CET) and Rules of Origin, and strategic responses to emerging international trade measures, particularly the impact of the U.S. “America First” policies.

In an interview, Assistant Secretary-General for the CARICOM Single Market and Trade, Ambassador Wayne McCook said that Ministers received a report on the draft Regional Industrial Policy, which lays the foundation for increased productivity, competitiveness, and deeper linkages of economic sectors among Member States.

“Ministers were quite interested in the proposals and recommendations that were beginning to take shape. What has been set out is a comprehensive policy that covers all the critical areas of regional industry,” Ambassador McCook stated.

This policy, led by the Directorate of Economic Integration, Innovation and Development, with the President of Suriname championing the initiative, is designed to streamline resources and enhance industrial capacity.

Expressing optimism that the draft policy “will be finalised very soon,” Ambassador McCook said that once in place, it will better position CARICOM to benefit from existing and future trade arrangements.

CARICOM’s CET and Rules of Origin Gaining Momentum

CARICOM’s efforts to make the CET and the Rules of Origin fit for purpose gained momentum as trade ministers agreed to begin work on implementing the revised CET regime from January 2026.

The CET is a standardised tariff rate that CARICOM applies to imports from outside the region, while CARICOM Rules of Origin indicate when a particular product made within the CARICOM Single Market, qualifies for duty-free treatment. At the meeting, trade ministers provided favourable consideration to specific requests by Member States for CET exemptions and adjustments.

Describing the Rules of Origin and CET as the “real engine of the Single Market and Trade in Goods regimes to promote and support intra-regional trade,” Ambassador McCook said that the updates better reflect the ways in which regional producers and manufacturers make and trade their goods.

He said that these reforms will coincide with the implementation of the Harmonised System Code that the World Customs Organisation will introduce for 2027. Customs agencies, trade ministers, and finance departments are gearing up for the significant administrative work required over the next year to ensure that both transitions are successful, the Assistant Secretary-General stated.

Review of Potential Impact of “America First” Trade Policy

In the realm of external trade, COTED received an update on ongoing work to assess the implications of the evolving U.S. trade stance under its “America First” policy. An Expert Working Group, drawn from the CARICOM Secretariat, CARICOM Private Sector Organisation, and the Caribbean Development Bank, is reviewing the potential impact of the tariff changes including the 10 % baseline tariff applied across the board on regional exports to the U.S.

“Pooling our resources, we expect to be able to deliver the best possible analysis and advice on the way forward in addressing these new tariffs and related measures. The U.S. remains the Region’s largest trading partner overall, so this work is significant,” said the Assistant Secretary-General.

He noted that the group is working with alacrity to present the findings before the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, which is scheduled from July 6-8 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Preceding that meeting, the report will be tabled for the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on External Trade Negotiations.

Additionally, trade ministers approved CARICOM’s negotiating strategy for upcoming bilateral trade talks with Colombia and reviewed the preparations for the 2026 Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“We know that there are significant challenges that the WTO has to contend with, so Ministers looked at the landscape ahead and will be preparing to instruct our delegations to the Ministerial Conference in ways that will advance the Community’s interest in the multilateral trading system,” Ambassador McCook stated.

“Two years ago, we could never have imagined the turmoil with which the global trading system and the global economy are now confronted. Our business community is reeling from cancelled export orders, the imposition of new and unexpected tariffs, and unprecedented uncertainties,” Minister Symmonds, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados stated.

He was at the time addressing the opening of the Sixtieth Regular Meeting of COTED at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana on Tuesday, 11 June.

Minister Symmonds called on COTED to take decisive action to tackle urgent trade and economic issues, stressing the importance of ensuring that CARICOM’s exports enter global markets with minimal barriers.

“The question of whether our exports can enter markets with the least possible barriers and whether imports reach us in a timely, safe, and affordable manner, will all impact the performance of our economies and determine whether we thrive or struggle as a Community.”

CARICOM trade ministers met from 10-11 June to address an agenda dealing with the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), proposed implementation of the revised Common External Tariff (CET), progress of the Sectoral Working Group reviewing CARICOM Rules of Origin, and reports from the Monitoring Mechanisms on Sugar, Cement, and Rice.

Key external trade issues, including the impact of the America First Policy on CARICOM, negotiations on CARICOM-Colombia trade agreements, and Belize’s partial scope agreement with El Salvador, also received the Ministers’ attention.

Regional standards, report on the industrial policy, and public procurement mechanisms were also on the agenda.