Most events throughout the festival are free and open to the public. However, a few special highlights require tickets, including:

• Super Concerts featuring top regional and international performers
• Alvin Ailey II Dance Company – a world-renowned performance you won’t want to miss
• “Back in Time Fete” – a nostalgic party celebrating Caribbean musical heritage

A complete list of ticketed events and the link to purchase tickets are available here. All prices are listed in Barbados Dollars (BBD).

For ticketing inquiries or to report an issue, please contact: myticketlinkz@gmail.com

Join us in Barbados for an unforgettable cultural experience as we celebrate the spirit, rhythm, and soul of the Caribbean!

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The mission was headed by Ms. Alexis Downes-Amsterdam, Director General of CARIFORUM, and was undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Barbados. The CARIFORUM team also included representatives from the EU EPA and UK EPA Programmes.

During the visit, the team engaged a cross-section of national stakeholders including representatives of key government agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ministry of Agriculture, Customs and Excise Department and business support organisations.

Discussions focused on the administrative and legal measures required for Barbados to fully implement the agreements and implementation challenges. The CARIFORUM team provided technical guidance on advancing the required measures and addressing the challenges.

The CARIFORUM Directorate’s targeted support was also intended to ensure that Barbados is not only compliant with its EPA obligations but also equipped to translate market access into market presence and tangible long-term economic opportunities. Support to CARIFORUM States includes technical assistance to advance priority measures, targeted capacity building to boost export readiness and institutional strengthening to help CARIFORUM States maximise the opportunities available under the Agreements.

Signed in 2008, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the CARIFORUM countries and the European Union is a fundamental cornerstone in this relationship to boost trade and investment between the two regions.

The CARIFORUM-UK EPA was signed in 2021 with the aim of maintaining the trading relationship between CARIFORUM States and the United Kingdom post-BREXIT.

“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.

Mr. Blades contributed immensely to several key regional institutions, including the CARICOM Secretariat, where he served for more than twenty years, including as Director for Trade, Agriculture, Export Promotion, and Air and Sea Transportation.

He was also Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and Officer-in-Charge of the CARICOM Haiti Office.

We acknowledge his many years of dedicated service to regional integration and development efforts and extend condolences to his former colleagues and family members.

A twelve (12) member CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on 21 April and will depart on 30 April 2025. The Mission is comprised of nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and supported by staff from the CARICOM Secretariat.

The CEOM’s primary role is to observe preparations for the conduct of the Parliamentary Elections and to provide an independent, impartial, and honest assessment of the electoral process, taking account of all factors that may impinge on the overall credibility and transparency of the elections.

It is noted that the elections had 161 candidates representing 17 political parties.

Prior to and on Election Day, the team observed the Special Voting in addition to the procedure for the sorting of special envelopes and the intermixing of ballots on Election Day.
The CEOM also engaged with various stakeholders including the Elections and Boundaries Commission, representatives of political parties, trade unions, civil society, religious bodies, academia, other institutions, and the media.

On polling day, the team visited 202 polling stations across 12 constituencies, including in Tobago. The team observed the polling activities, which included the opening of the polls, the voting process, the closing of the polls, and the counting of ballots.

Based on the team’s observations, the pre-poll and opening procedures were followed. The polls were opened on time in the polling districts. All polling stations observed were fully staffed and most had at least two Polling Agents present. Most polling stations were conveniently located and easily accessible to the voters, although in some instances, it was noted that accessibility presented challenges for persons with disabilities, and the elderly. The Mission further observed that there was a sufficient supply of the required voting materials at all polling stations.

Additionally, the Mission noted that there were few queues at the opening of the poll. The CEOM observed that voting proceeded in a peaceful and orderly manner.  Most polling stations were divided into two streams, which aided queue management.

In all polling stations visited, a sample of the ballot paper and relevant instructions were clearly displayed. Signage was also visibly displayed outside polling stations.
Adequate police security was in place at all locations visited. The polling officials conducted their duties with professionalism, transparency, diligence and dedication. They were helpful to voters especially the elderly and persons with disabilities.

This contributed to the level of calm which accompanied the day’s activities. Generally, the poll workers were focused as they steadily carried out the required procedures, thereby ensuring that all eligible electors who turned out to vote were able to exercise their franchise.

The initial assessment of Election Day activities by the CEOM is that the voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or fear, and that the results of the 28 April 2025 Parliamentary Elections reflect the will of the electorate of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Mission extends its appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs for its assistance and congratulates the staff of the Elections and Boundaries Commission; poll workers; the political parties and their candidates; stakeholders; the security forces and the people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, on the level of maturity displayed in the conduct of the Election Day activities.

Finally, we thank the people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for their warm welcome and cooperation, which contributed to the success of the Mission.

A full Report will be prepared by the Chief of the CEOM for submission to the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

IAN S. HUGHES
CHIEF OF MISSION
CARICOM ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION

29 April 2025

“Never miss an opportunity.  It’s going to be a big celebration!  Believe in yourself; believe in your talent.  We, as Caribbean people, are here to support you.  To any young person: take advantage of the CARIFESTA spotlight.  You are supposed to be here in beautiful Bridgetown, Barbados – sign up, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you,” stated the CYA.  

Listen to her describe how the festival can benefit young artists in the video below. 

Mr. Preville was speaking at a planning meeting ahead of the final segment of the CARICOM Skilled Workers Programme (SWP), which begins 31 March in Belize.

“Sustained implementation of the CSME will depend on the availability of senior technical officers, equipped not only with the requisite knowledge of the CSME, but also an understanding of the nuanced differences in processes in Member States and the development of networks among colleagues to support the integration process.”

CARICOM border control officers from Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago are scheduled to begin a one-week attachment in Belize from 31 March – 4 April 2025.

This activity will provide opportunities to learn best-practices in the administration of the CSME regimes and develop practical skills to assist Member States in implementing the CSME and decisions of the Organs and Bodies of the Community. This activity marks the final phase of the CARICOM Skilled Workers Programme.

The programme, which is aimed at building advocates for CARICOM integration through the exposure given to the participants, is supported under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF): Strengthening Framework for CARICOM Integration and Cooperation Process (SFCICP). The programme funds three border control officers from each CARICOM Member State participating in the CSME.

While in Belize, the CARICOM border control officers will be exposed to the operations at the land border, air and seaports. They will observe passport control, customs inspection, agricultural checks and the collaboration among various agencies such as the Border Management Authority; Customs and Excise; Immigration and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority. They will also monitor cargo inspection, passenger processing, the use of technology and risk management strategies.

There are two other segments of the Border Control Officers Attachment Programme: Guyana will host participants from Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 7 to 11 April 2025. Participants from Belize, Dominica, Haiti and Jamaica will then have an opportunity to visit another CARICOM Member State.

• Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada;

• His Excellency Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank;

• Distinguished Guests;

• Ladies and Gentlemen.

Today’s Groundbreaking Ceremony marks the establishment of a tangible expression of the new chapter in CARICOM-Africa relations. I thank the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) for the invitation to be part of this historic event and congratulate you on this development.

At the first Summit of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union (AU) in 2021, Heads of State and Government recalled the spirit and vision of Pan-Africanism championed by our Caribbean and African forebears.  They affirmed their commitment to foster the unity and common aspirations of all people of African descent for a fairer, more inclusive global order.

The Summit recognised the need to actively pursue increased trade, investment, air travel, and maritime shipping links towards greater economic relations, and enhanced people to people contact between this Region and Africa.

To this end, the Summit mandated a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Secretariats of CARICOM and the African Union, to allow for ongoing technical dialogue and action.  The MoU, which has been signed, is intended to create platforms for closer interaction and solidarity, and allow for the establishment of initiatives for coordination and joint action.

Today’s event is a prime example of cooperation in action.  Afreximbank has led the charge. Its commitment, first demonstrated by the opening of the CARICOM Afreximbank office here in Bridgetown in August 2023, has affirmed President Oramah’s message that the Bank is here to stay.

Afreximbank’s ongoing outreach and engagement have resulted in most CARICOM Member States formally signing partnership agreements to solidify their relationships with the Bank.  Agreements have also been signed with Regional Institutions, including recently with the CARICOM Development Fund.

Afreximbank has also demonstrated its commitment to action by hosting three Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forums, the first here in Barbados in 2022, the second in Guyana in 2023, and the third in The Bahamas in 2024. The next will take place in Grenada in July 2025. These events have been catalysts for business and investment connections across Africa, the Caribbean and the wider diaspora. They have laid a foundation for people-to-people and business-to-business contact, facilitated new trade and investment initiatives, and encouraged joint ventures towards meaningful partnerships, and mutual benefits for CARICOM and Africa.

Today’s launch, and the work underway to study the feasibility of a CARICOM Eximbank, underscore the vision for development that Afreximbank has embraced in this Region.

The purposes outlined for Afreximbank’s House on Caribbean soil demonstrate that the Bank intends to be more than just a source of financing; rather, it is positioning itself as an active participant in projects that can drive growth and development, not only here in Barbados, but across the Region. The trade and exhibition center, the digital trade gateway, and the business center, can be critical launching pads to increase innovation and growth for our Region.

I congratulate and thank President Oramah for his commitment and dedication in moving the relationship between the Bank and CARICOM decisively forward. The growing relationship between Afreximbank and CARICOM is a prime example of South-South Cooperation.  Nations, and groups of nations of the global south, are determined to work together directly and in their own mutual interests.

Excellencies, the Forty-Eighth Regular Meeting of Heads of Government of CARICOM held a month ago here in Barbados, welcomed the United Nation’s Declaration of a Second International Decade for People of African Descent, which is being observed from 2025 to 2034. We will continue to take advantage of opportunities for advocacy, public engagement and partnership presented by this observance, as well as by the Declaration by the African Union, of 2025 as the year for ‘‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”.

CARICOM and Africa will continue to strengthen collaboration and develop solutions for shared global challenges, as we create more opportunities for dialogue and partnership, including the Second AU-CARICOM Summit to be held in Addis Ababa on 7 September 2025, which His Excellency Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, has graciously agreed to host. We can expect this Summit to further advance matters to which the Heads of Government on both sides committed at the First CARICOM-Africa Summit, to ensure closer relations and improved development for the citizens of Africa and the Caribbean Community.

Distinguished guests, today’s Groundbreaking Ceremony symbolises the immense promise of our shared future. We will continue our strategic collaboration so that the bond between the Caribbean and Africa remains vibrant, resilient, and transformative for present and future generations.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

The ATC in Barbados will be the first of its kind outside Africa and will sit on more than two hectares of land made available by the government of Barbados. It marks the “establishment of a tangible expression of the new chapter in CARICOM-Africa relations,” the Secretary-General said in remarks at the ceremony. The launch event featured addresses by the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and Chair of CARICOM and His Excellency Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank. The Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada was among the dignitaries at the event.

“Today’s event is a prime example of cooperation in action. Afreximbank has led the charge. Its commitment, first demonstrated by the opening of the CARICOM Afreximbank office here in Bridgetown in August 2023, has affirmed President Oramah’s message that the Bank is here to stay,” Dr. Barnett said.

She noted that Afreximbank is positioning itself to be an “active participant” in projects in Barbados and across the Region.

“The trade and exhibition centre, the digital trade gateway, the business centre and hotel, can be critical launching pads to increase innovation and growth for our Region,” the Secretary-General observed.

Afreximbank’s ongoing outreach and engagement, Dr. Barnett said, have resulted in CARICOM Member States and Regional Institutions formally signing partnership agreements to solidify their relationships with the Bank. It has also hosted three African-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forums in Barbados in 2022, in Guyana in 2023, and in The Bahamas in 2024. The fourth Forum will be held in Grenada in July this year.

“These events have been catalysts for business and investment connections across Africa, the Caribbean and the wider diaspora. They have laid a foundation for people-to-people and business-to-business contact, facilitated new trade and investment initiatives, and encouraged joint ventures towards meaningful partnerships, and mutual benefits for CARICOM and Africa,” the Secretary-General said.

Tracing the recent engagements and developments, she recalled othe first summit of CARICOM and the African Union (AU) in 2021 which recognised the need to actively pursue increased trade, investment, air travel and maritime shipping links to encourage greater economic relations and enhance people-to-people contact between CARICOM and Africa.

His Excellency Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, will host the second CARICOM- AU Summit in Addis Ababa on 7 September 2025.

“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony symbolises the immense promise of our shared future. We will continue our strategic collaboration so that the bond between the Caribbean and Africa remains vibrant, resilient, and transformative for present and future generations,” Secretary-General Barnett said.

–

Photo caption: CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett (extreme left); His Excellency Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank (2nd, left); Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and Chair of CARICOM (3rd, left); Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada (2nd, right) and other officials

You may read the Secretary-General’s full remarks by clicking: https://caricom.org/remarks-by-caricom-secretary-general-dr-carla-barnett-one-people-one-destiny-uniting-and-reimagining-our-future-groundbreaking-ceremony-the-barbados-afreximbank-african-trade-centre/

This engagement took place during the Fifth Meeting of the Committee, chaired by Ms. Margaret Ventura, the EPA Coordinator in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize, the current Chair of CARIFORUM. The Committee’s core members include representatives from Barbados, Belize, and Dominica, with technical support provided by the CARIFORUM Directorate.

As outlined in the Joint Declaration on the signing of the EPA, a comprehensive review of the Agreement must be conducted every five years to assess its impact, including the costs and consequences of implementation.

These reviews are carried out by the Joint CARIFORUM-EU Council with the second review scheduled for later this year.