He invited partners to support economic recovery in key sectors such as infrastructure, the green economy, innovation, education and training, cultural tourism, and security, particularly in the greater north and greater south.

At the closing press conference on 8 July, following the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in Montego Bay, Jamaica, both the Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica, and the President-Counsellor highlighted the critical issues and opportunities facing Haiti.

Prime Minister Holness expressed CARICOM’s deep concern over the ongoing situation in the country, stating,

“We continue to be gravely concerned. CARICOM has been very vocal in its call for international support and has been working with Haiti to ensure that its needs and concerns are being addressed.”

He informed the media that in their “detailed discussion” with the President-Counsellor, Heads of Government were apprised of the work of the Council towards strengthening security, holding a referendum on the reform of Haiti’s constitution, and elections in November.

Mr. Saint Cyr outlined the factors necessary to secure a safe and sustainable future in his country, stating,

“Haiti, today, needs the Region to speak with one voice in defence of security, peace, and sustainable development.”

He expressed gratitude to the countries that have already contributed personnel to the Multinational Security Support Mission and those offering training for the Haitian National Police.

At the same time, he pleaded for a redoubling of efforts to restore peace and security in Haiti through training, financial assistance, logistical, and technical support.

Mr. Saint Cyr said that Haiti is also counting on the Community to intensify advocacy with other regional and international partners for rigorous regional cooperation to control the illicit flow of arms and ammunition and combat drug trafficking.

“Haiti relies on its friends and international partners, especially within CARICOM, for the restoration of security, the organisation of elections, and long-term support for national reconstruction. It is together through a united front of coherent sustainable and solidaristic actions that we will be able to face this crisis and deliver on the major priorities of Haiti’s transition,” he stated.

“I welcome the discussions and the shared consensus that Haiti’s security depends on investments including foreign direct investment to address structural causes on insecurity. Haiti remains a land of opportunity,” he added.

Mr. Saint Cyr reaffirmed his commitment to working alongside his colleagues at the TPC toward a successful transition, noting that Haiti is ready to fully assume its responsibilities, but it will not succeed alone.

CARICOM has consistently called for an immediate, unconditional, and sustained ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access. These urgent calls have largely gone unheeded, leading to a crisis of unparalleled proportions. Relentless military operations, including indiscriminate bombardment and direct attacks on aid-seeking civilians, flagrantly violate international humanitarian law.

We are appalled by UN and humanitarian reports depicting widespread hunger, disease, and displacement, deliberately exacerbated by deprivation of basic necessities such as food, water, medicine. Critical fuel shortages further threaten to halt all lifesaving services. The weaponization of essential resources is morally repugnant, intolerable and unconscionable.

We unequivocally condemn all violence against civilians, including the abhorrent 7 October 2023 attacks and hostage-taking. We equally condemn the disproportionate military response, actions contravening international law, and systematic undermining of peace by illegal settlement expansion. The unacceptable dismantling of humanitarian mechanisms, replacing UN-led coordination with military control, demonstrably leads to further civilian casualties.

CARICOM reaffirms its unwavering commitment to a two-state solution as the only viable path to comprehensive, just, and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, consistent with UN Security Council Resolutions and international law. We lament the belligerent and continued disregard for these resolutions, urging the international community to redouble efforts for strict adherence and enforcement.

We, the Heads of Government, urgently demand an immediate ceasefire.  There must be full, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza, ensuring vital aid, including fuel, medical supplies, food, and water, reaches all in need without delay. We call for an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and detainees. We demand an end to forced displacement of Palestinians and protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law. It is imperative that there is accountability for all violations of international law, with perpetrators brought to justice.

We, the Heads of Government, reiterate our solidarity with all victims and urge maximum diplomatic efforts for a durable solution to the legitimate security and humanitarian concerns of all parties. The international community cannot stand idly by while this catastrophe deepens.

CARICOM stands ready to support all constructive initiatives for a lasting peace that meets the legitimate aspirations for security, dignity, and stability of all Israelis, Palestinians, and peoples in the wider Middle East.

Agreed 8 July 2025

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Remaining deeply concerned and alarmed bythe surge of gun crime and violence across the Caribbean Region, driven by the proliferation of illegal firearms and activities of gangs and/or organised criminal groups, which continue to pose a serious threat to the Region, its institutions of governance, and the very fabric of our societies,

Underscoring our commitmentto addressthe concerns of our peoples, regarding the impact of organised crime and illicit trafficking on their communities, livelihood, and security,

Cognisant of the current global security threats and the potential impact on the stability and socioeconomic progress of our societies,

Recalling the decision to collaborate on implementing measures to address crime, violence, and national security, and the implications for public health, that directly result from gang activities and the illegal importation of guns into our Region,

Renewing ourcommitment tostrengthening the Region’s response by implementing effective measures to monitor new trends in illicit firearms trafficking, enact robust legislation to include stringent penalties for firearm and gang-related offences, and to strengthen public awareness on the issues relating to the prevention and prosecution of all forms of organised criminal activities,

Determined to create societies characterised by productivity, prosperity, peace, and security,

1. Reaffirm our commitment to continue efforts to complete a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system to, inter alia, address criminal terrorists with a focus on the proactive management of investigations, prosecutions, and sentencing, while also expanding programmes aimed at the early identification and positive redirection of young people who may be at risk of social exclusion or vulnerability to crime;

2. Agree to strengthen the regional institutional security structures, to include the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), and implementation of programmes such as the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), to effectively enhance collaboration and  sharing of information, to disrupt criminal networks, as well as, leverage shared resources to enable law enforcement and support border security efforts;

3. Reinforce national anti-gang strategies to more effectively monitor and disrupt gang movement and their linkages to cross-border firearm-related crimes within CARICOM;

4. Recognise the importance of undertakingthe development or amendment of national legislation to effectively combat gun crimes, the illicit trade in arms and ammunition, trafficking offences in all forms, especially human trafficking as one of the most heinous crimes against humanity;

5. Commit to the development and implementation of comprehensive counter-narcotics strategies through enhanced cooperation, resource sharing, and sustained policy engagement.

6. Resolve to integrate into the formal economy, rule of law, and governance systems, undergoverned spaces that provide, or can provide safe havens to criminal organisations.

Issued in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, on the occasion of the 49^th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“The proposed CARICOM Education Transformation Commission was also discussed. This is devised to drive a unified equity-based education reform agenda across the Region.  In particular, we discussed how it can be operationalised in a manner that ensures its sustainability and does not compound the requirements of Member States.”

In a strong show of leaders’ commitment to education transformation, CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister of Jamaica, Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, announced the advancement of a bold initiative to enhance education across the Caribbean Community: the CARICOM Education Transformation Commission.

Speaking at the closing media conference of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, held from 6–8 July in Montego Bay, Prime Minister Holness confirmed that the Commission was a key topic of discussion among regional leaders.

He emphasised that the body is intended to drive a unified, equity-based reform agenda for education, designed to uplift learning outcomes and create consistent educational opportunities across Member States.

“In particular, we discussed how it can be operationalised in a manner that ensures its sustainability and does not compound the requirements of Member States,” stated Dr Holness.

The proposed Commission signals a renewed commitment to education as a cornerstone of regional development and social equity. The CARICOM Chair explained that leaders explored collaborative approaches that will ensure long-term success and impactful implementation without overextending national capacities.

During the Meeting’s opening ceremony on Sunday, Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP, Prime Minister of Barbados underscored that the Caribbean Educational Transformation Commission must be established as a matter of urgency, as the current educational system is not “fit for purpose” for today’s citizens.

She posited that data and evidence should inform necessary changes to give young people the best possible chance.

Helpful Links:

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

Video | Closing Media Conference of the 49th Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government | Montego Bay, Jamaica

In her address as Outgoing Chair of CARICOM at the opening of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Montego Bay on July 6, Prime Minister Mottley warned that the proliferation of disinformation, fueled by the misuse of artificial intelligence, poses a serious risk to the Region’s democracy.

“The improper use of AI can sometimes stoke great fear and panic among our citizens,” she said, citing recent examples in which Barbados was the target of fake news.

“It is almost as if this is a daily exercise now for our countries,” she stated, urging CARICOM to establish its own mechanism to verify information in the absence of action from global tech platforms.
“We need our own CARICOM blue tick to validate truth in this Community,” she said.

Historic gathering

A meeting between Heads of Government and Heads of Judiciary of CARICOM preceded the opening of the Conference. Lauding this gathering as historic, Prime Minister Mottley stated that “it is possible for the judiciary to remain independent but not isolated from the communities in which they operate,” echoing the sentiments of Jamaica’s Chief Justice.

This idea, she added, is critical not only for the development of Caribbean jurisprudence but also for stability in our democracies and for addressing the shared burden of citizen insecurity.

Prime Minister Mottley said that the Region pays a high price for the United States’ Second Amendment rights, and lauded Jamaica’s proposal for a regional justice and security cooperation framework that aligns with the Needham’s Point and George Bridge Declarations.

Underscoring the importance of regional action on citizen security, she said, “We have a duty to our citizens.”

The Outgoing Chair also paid tribute to newly installed President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Winston Anderson.

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.

Outgoing Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, closed out her six-month tenure with a rallying cry for regional solidarity and action in the face of global uncertainty.

Speaking on July 6 at the opening of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where Caribbean leaders first met in 1947 to lay the foundations of regional integration, Prime Minister Mottley reflected on her journey from a “young romantic idealist” and “fervent believer of the regional integration movement” to a more seasoned, though still hopeful, advocate for CARICOM solidarity.

“Our Community has perhaps seen more challenges in these past seven years than at any time since independence,” she said. “But if ever there was a time for regional solidarity, it is absolutely now.”

Highlighting several achievements in trade and economic cooperation during her tenure, the Outgoing Chair said that CARICOM is now poised to finalise long-awaited revisions to the Common External Tariff (CET) and Rules of Origin, crucial trading instruments that protect regional industry while lowering the cost of essential goods for production.

Commending the Council for Trade and Economic Development and the Community Council for completing the work on these critical tools for intra-regional trade, she said now is the time for political decision on what items can see reduced tariff rates without undermining regional production.

Prime Minister Mottley also commended the Regional Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) for responding to the trade tensions stemming from U.S. actions on Chinese-made shipping vessels, including a 500-member strong participation in a Zoom discussion.

Through advocacy with the U.S. government involving CPSO and the CARICOM Secretariat, the Community secured a temporary stay of the imposition of fees exceeding US$1 million per US port call. This stay reduced the risk of trade and supply-chain disruption and increased inflation in the Region.

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

He was delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony of the Forty-ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Montego Bay, Jamaica, 6 July 2025. The two-day Heads of Government meeting is being convened under the theme, ‘People, Partnerships, and Prosperity – Promoting a Secure and Sustainable Future’ which Prime Minister Holness said, “captures the essence of our regional purpose.”

Focus on people

Geopolitical developments, and the security and resilience of the Region require a focus on people “because human development must be the centre of our integration,” Prime Minister Holness said.

He added that ensuring food security, access to decent work, climate protection, and opportunities for the youth who make up 60 per cent of the Region’s populace, were also key areas of people-centred attention.

Zeroing in on youth engagement in his address, the Prime Minister stressed 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 view their inclusion not as symbolic, but as a strategic investment in our future,” he said.

Partnerships

The focus on partnerships takes account of the “network of trust” on which global progress is built.

“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; stronger ties within CARICOM and within strategic global partners in Africa, Europe, North and South America, the Pacific and the Middle East,” Dr. Holness said.

Prosperity

Inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the CARICOM Chair said, must remain “our shared ambition—one that lifts every citizen, especially the most vulnerable.”

“Jamaica will continue to champion initiatives that make these three pillars not just aspirations, but enduring features of Caribbean life, he pledged.

During their meeting, the Heads of Government will hold discussions on a wide range of matters including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), transportation, telecommunications, industrial progress, climate change and climate finance, security, and the situation in Haiti.

“We have much ground to cover over the next few days. While our agenda is undoubtedly ambitious, it reflects a clear and purposeful vision for our Region—one grounded in our shared realities and guided by the need to ensure that our actions are responsive to the people we serve, especially our youth,” the CARICOM Chair said.

“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/

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: