It is for this reason, that the Community must continue to strongly advocate for climate justice and climate finance. Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who assumed the Chairmanship of CARICOM on 1 July 2025, pledged that his country will be a “strong advocate” on the climate front. He made the commitment at the opening ceremony of the Forty-ninth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM on 6 July in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Climate finance, a matter of “the Region’s survival and prosperity”, was one of the key items on the agenda of the Meeting.

“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 overtime, and therefore climate changing now is nothing new. But last year, just around this time, Jamaica was staring down the earliest forming and perhaps 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. The impact of this has to be understood at the fiscal level, need for financing, but certainly because of our size,” he pointed out during his address at the opening of the Conference.

Dr Holness added that as the Region prepares for COP30 in Brazil later this year, “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.”

“There can be no sustained prosperity without security,” the Prime Minister said, pointing out that urgent action is required to confront the growing problem.

“We must dismantle the influence of gangs in our communities, disrupt their financing, and cut off access to weapons,” Dr. Holness said during his address at the opening of the Forty-ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, which ended on 8 July in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

He quoted a 2024 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime which highlighted the worrying combination of risk factors including surging drug production in South America, the proliferation and competition of transnational and local gangs, and 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,” the Prime Minister said.

Acknowledging that the problem cannot be solved overnight, the Prime Minister said it will require “significant investment and unified public support”.

“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 climate change, the threat that poses 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 civilisation we wish to develop, would seem to categorise gangs as a social problem; a problem caused by the alienation of youth, poverty, breakdown of social mores and values, and therefore the policy response must be or should be a social response, one that treats crime and violence as a public health crisis – and basically so, there is no question that it is a social problem why 90 per cent of persons involved in crime are males, and speaking for Jamaica, 90 per cent of those who are victims of homicide are males, so yes, there is that strong social component.

“But I believe that our society, and the way that we think about crime and violence needs 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 organisation of violence. It is the organisation of violence for profit. It is not merely street level, dispossessed, socially excluded youngsters. There is a level of intelligence, a level of resources, a level of organisation that has been brought to crime, and violence is being used to support a profit motive and my own view is that policy and jurisprudence needs to evolve to address this matter,” the Prime Minister said.

Underlining the importance of security to the Community’s progress, Heads of Government invited the Secretary General of the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), Mr. Valdecy Urquiza, as a special guest to the Meeting.

Jamaica also mounted a security exposition at the Meeting. Prime Minister Holness said the exposition 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.”

“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.

In light of these challenging times, I urge all citizens and the private sector of our region to coordinate closely with their respective governments and regional emergency response mechanisms in providing immediate support and relief to those affected by the hurricane. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is already working to mobilise and coordinate assistance and disaster relief even as the storm is still passing through the Windward Islands.

This is a time for all of us as a regional community to stand together and extend our support to those impacted or likely to be impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Let us mobilise the necessary assistance and relief efforts in the true spirit of regional solidarity.

Together, we can overcome the adversities posed by this hurricane and ensure the safety and well-being of all our peoples and communities.

Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Chairman

Caribbean Community

During her 70-year reign, Her Majesty’s commitment to service and devotion to duty was a sterling example to all. She was the one constant in a world of never-ending change.

Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered for her love of and dedication to the Commonwealth of which she was a passionate supporter and leader.

CARICOM extends its condolences to the Royal family and to the Government and people of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations on the passing of a Monarch whose memory will be long revered. May she rest in peace.  

Once more, you have made our Region proud with your outstanding performances at Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon, USA.

I congratulate the three fastest women in the World, who all hail from Jamaica in particular Ms Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who is now the only athlete ever to hold five individual 100m world titles. She is an icon in our Region. I applaud her success. 

I also recognize the performance of Ms Shericka Jackson, who led the way in the 200m. The entire Caribbean is proud of the performance of the Jamaican women who brought home so many medals and were instrumental in Jamaica being third in overall medals won. I congratulate all athletes from Jamaica for their superb performance.

I also congratulate Anderson Peters from Grenada for his second world title in the javelin throw and the excellent Ms Shaunae Miller-Uibo from The Bahamas who brought home a world title in the 400m and led a Caribbean sweep in the event.

To all our medal winners and participants I extend a hearty well done to you on behalf of the Community.

Sports are a cornerstone for developing a healthy population in the Caribbean. Our Caribbean athletes make us proud and are a motivation to all of us to strive for a healthy lifestyle. Sports are not only fun to watch, but for those who participate, it helps personal development.

In this post-Covid period, participation in sports can help us overcome obstacles that we may perceive to stand in our way. It helps us develop a positive attitude towards life and its struggles and shapes our personality and character. And when we compete, it builds our character, teaches us to think strategically and analytically, and helps us with goal setting and risk-taking. Regular sporting activity releases stress and improves our physical and mental well-being.

The Caribbean Region can be proud of the athletes that it has produced over the years. I call on all leaders in the Caribbean to promote sports and a healthy lifestyle so that we can maintain our position in athletics for many years to come. And let us explore how the private sector can assist in growing sports development in our Region.

Once more, I congratulate on behalf of CARICOM, all our athletes who participated in the World Athletics Championships 2022. You had us rooting for you, you made us proud, and you provided us with some incredible sporting moments that we will never forget. Thank you!

The past two years have seen all plans affected by the COVID-19 virus which has caused profound social and economic turmoil. The prospects for our recovery hinge on the urgent acceleration  of vaccinations, which remains alarmingly low in our Community. Further delay in equitable access to vaccines will stress our health systems and personnel, and delay our economic recovery.

Throughout the pandemic regional cooperation, collaboration and solidarity have been at the centre of our national responses – a clear affirmation of the necessity and dividends of our integration.

Notwithstanding the immense challenges ahead and the inherent risks and vulnerabilities that have always accompanied our existence, the Community possesses the requisite capacities, strategies and plans, and the will and courage to forge a resilient and prosperous Caribbean Community.

While responding to the pandemic we have also been crafting the framework for a regional recovery which aligns with our aspirations for sustainable development and resilience.

The work of the Community’s Special Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security will be critically important in the coming year, advancing actions to stimulate economic growth and fortifying our food systems against supply chain disruptions.

The pandemic has underscored the importance of integrating digital technologies into our economic, social and governance structures. Therefore, to spur the digital transformation of our single Caribbean space, we will advance our Regional Digital Development Strategy.

The outcome of COP26 has not provided us with sufficient time, space nor resources to confront the catastrophic, immediate and slow onset impacts of climate change occurring in our Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States. We must be resolute in our demands and  advocacy to ensure that the obligations and commitments both on emissions and financing are honoured by the developed and G 20 countries.

To maximise the effect of our advocacy, the formation of strategic alliances is a key element. We will be seeking to build on the successful first CARICOM-Africa Summit which identified several areas for common action, including climate change and the application of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index to allow for the inclusion of more than just income-based criteria to assess eligibility for concessionary finance.

We welcome the approaches by our friends in the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, and look forward to consolidating our partnership with them, as we make common cause with fellow SIDS through AOSIS.  We will also be revitalising our links with Central America through the Central American Integration System, of which Belize is also a Member.

Within our Caribbean Community, the situation in Haiti commands our attention. The precarious political, social, economic and security situations present a formidable challenge. We will continue to reach out to all the stakeholders, as we seek to support all Haitians in  arriving at a Haitian-led solution. This is the only way forward for peace and stability.

I take up the Chairmanship of CARICOM, following the Hon. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.  I wish to commend him for his sterling leadership of our Community over the last six months.

As we enter this new year, challenges abound both within and outside the Community. But I am confident that with our collective ingenuity, the dynamism and promise of our integration, and our enduring Caribbean resilience our Caribbean civilization will prevail.

Have a happy, safe and productive New Year

The Chairman of CARICOM, the Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has held discussions with the Prime Minister of Haiti, the Honourable Ariel Henry and has assured him that CARICOM stands ready to assist.

Prime Minister Browne extended his sympathy to Prime Minister Henry and to the people of Haiti on the loss of life, and expressed his wishes for a full and speedy recovery of the injured.

Homes, other buildings and infrastructure have been destroyed, particularly in the southwestern cities of Les Cayes and Jeremie. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is in contact with Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency which is assessing the damage.

14 August 2021

As chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and in my own capacity, I condemn the physical assault upon the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves during a protest organised by the opposition political party.

The assault was serious and almost fatal. As it is, Dr. Gonsalves injury to his head is still being medically assessed.

The introduction of violence into the political life of CARICOM is shameful and deplorable and those responsible for it must be brought to justice with all due dispatch.

The assault is all the more shameful because it occurred as the Prime Minister was walking into the national parliament, the highest law-making body of the State where a robust debate was taking place in full regard for democratic principles of dissent and discussion. There is no place for violence and personal physical assaults in our CARICOM democracies where the rule of law prevails and rights, including the right to peaceful protests are fully upheld.

All law-abiding and well thinking people of CARICOM should join in resolution that such gratuitous violence will not be tolerated in our peaceful societies.

Our prayers are with Dr. Gonsalves for a speedy recovery. He has been and remains an invaluable Caribbean son and leader, deserving of the greatest respect.

Following an evacuation order of the immediate area around the volcano by Prime Minister Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, CARICOM Member States have offered support to house evacuees from the affected area.

The scientific team from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre (SRC) has been in the country constantly monitoring the volcano and rendering scientific advice to the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has been working alongside the St Vincent National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), the SRC and the Regional Security System (RSS).

CDEMA has activated its regional support operation including the deployment of a specialist to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Agency is providing technical assistance to NEMO with Evacuation and Logistics Planning.

The Community stands with the Government and People of St Vincent and the Grenadines in this perilous situation.