We need to bring focused intent on making our partnerships inclusiveand for our people to connect or re-connect for partnerships to thrive. CARICOM remains committed to work side by side with the African Union to ensure that the partnerships are broad based and include specifically young people and women.

• Her Excellency Dame Cécile La Grenade, Governor-General of Grenada
• Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada;

• Other Excellencies Heads of State and Government and former;

• Hon. Joseph Andall, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development, and Other Representatives of the Government of Grenada;

• Other Honourable Ministers;

• Your Excellency Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson, African Union (AU);

• Professor Benedict O. Oramah, CGON, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank);

• Other Representatives of Afreximbank;

• Your Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat;

• Other Distinguished Delegates;

• Members of the Media.

• Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my distinct pleasure to address you at this Opening Ceremony of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF). This fourth edition of the Forum is a further demonstration of the collective commitment towards forging deeper trade, investment and economic cooperation as envisioned by our Leaders at the First CARICOM-Africa Summit in 2021.

We meet amidst heightened global geopolitical and economic tensions, supply chain disruptions, and the questioning by some of the value of the multilateral system. The theme of this year’s Forum, “Resilience and Transformation: Enhancing Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty”,therefore guides us to recognise the effect of these challenges on our work to deepen the relationship between our Regions.

Last month, I had the honour to participate in the 32^nd Annual Meetings of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Abuja, Nigeria. The theme of that meeting was “Progressive Unity in a Fractured World: Building a Global African Coalition for Development”. At that Meeting, the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) and Afreximbank signed a Mandate Letter to commence work to design and launch a Green, Resilient and Sustainable Facility (GRSF). I emphasised the need for this type of global partnership to develop mechanisms that foster inclusive growth, sustainable development, and economic and climate resilience. Here, today, I re-emphasise this approach of building partnerships here.

The AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2025 (ACTIF2025) is also taking place as we prepare for the second CARICOM-Africa Summit, scheduled for 7 September 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Summit will be an opportunity to deepen our partnership through high-level political engagement on advancing inter-regional trade and investment, strengthening South-South Cooperation, and operationalising the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year between the CARICOM Secretariat and the African Union Commission on “Upscaling Engagement and Linkages with People of African Descent”.

We need to bring focused intent on making our partnerships inclusive and for our people to connect or re-connect for partnerships to thrive. CARICOM remains committed to work side by side with the African Union to ensure that the partnerships are broad based and include specifically young people and women.

Our collaboration extends to advocating for reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade and chattel slavery. During the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, our joint efforts are vital to ensuring global recognition and action on this historical imperative. In this context, the designation of the African Diaspora, of which the Caribbean is a part, as the Sixth Region of the African Union provides an appropriate context to act in concert towards our collective advancement.

This Forum has been nurturing investments and bilateral cooperation in many priority areas for both Regions, such as the development of transportation links critical for trade, tourism and cultural exchanges.  Another priority area is technology transfer, a key example being the development of a Caribbean Payment and Settlement System based on the successful Pan-African Payment and Settlement System This mechanism will make it easier for large and small enterprises in both markets to conduct business efficiently. There are many other opportunities still to be addressed, some of which are being explored.

The Forum is becoming a foundation on which we can and will strengthen trade and investment cooperation, and engagements in priority areas for both the Caribbean region and the African continent, moving from policy discussions to action.  We know we have common legacy challenges that persist in the current global distribution systems and logistics. Our external trade far exceeds our intra-regional trade. Our similar efforts at regional integration, the development of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), seek to address this.

We must also decisively open the door to greater trade between our Regions. CARICOM trade with the Continent must grow beyond the current levels of less than three per cent (3%) of our overall trade, particularly with the uncertainty that currently looms over trade with traditional partners.

CARICOM is committed to deepening its collaboration with the Afreximbank in key areas of common interest. To ensure consistent and collaborative outcomes, steps are being taken to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding between CARICOM and Afreximbank, so that together we can drive the partnership in particular areas such as trade, logistics and connectivity to increase economic, financial and trade linkages, while bringing our two Regions together in mutually reinforcing ways.

Trade and development financing has a critical role to play in the pursuit of trade and investment opportunities, and the realisation of our common development goals. CARICOM therefore welcomes and values the demonstrated commitment of the Afreximbank to partner in this critical endeavour. I was delighted to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Bridgetown, Barbados, in March this year, a demonstration of the Bank’s long-term commitment to the Region.

I must take a moment to express the Community’s thanks to Outgoing President and Chairman of the Afreximbank, our good friend Professor Benedict Oramah. Professor Oramah has been a driving force behind our partnership and we are particularly grateful for the support of the Afreximbank towards a possible Caribbean Exim Bank. We welcome his successor, Dr. George Elombi, and look forward to working with him to carry forward the momentum we have developed together.

The 2024 edition of ACTIF, held under the auspices of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Honourable Philip Davis, was a resounding success. I am confident that this edition, hosted by Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, will build on those achievements and catalyse strategic partnerships between the business communities in Africa and the CARICOM Region.

We have a lot of work to do together.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

*Photo courtesy: Office of the Prime Minister, Grenada

CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett delivered remarks at the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, today, in Georgetown, Guyana. According to the Secretary-General,

“We have been making steady progress driven by some key partnerships, but attention is needed to address enforcement and governance. It is recognised that capacity building and funding for environmental protection and regulation agencies remain priorities, as well as the need for strengthened mechanisms to enhance community engagement and local stewardship. And perhaps most importantly, we must do more to align biodiversity management and conservation with national development plans.”

See her full remarks below:

• Your Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana;

• Excellencies Heads of State and Government;

• Founding Members of the Global Biodiversity Alliance;

• Representatives of Regional and International Organisations;

• Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

• Other Distinguished Delegates.

I am pleased to join you for this plenary session of the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, convened in one of the Region’s most biodiverse states.

I commend His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and our host, for this initiative which has brought together leaders, scientists, indigenous voices, and innovators in a positive move to consolidate global efforts toward biodiversity protection.

Biodiversity underpins the health of ecosystems, sustains livelihoods, and supports cultural traditions within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Our Community is a hotspot of biodiversity, rich with endemic species, coral reefs, mangroves, rainforests, wetlands and freshwater systems. CARICOM’s biodiversity isn’t just ecologically rich – it is economically vital as our rich ecosystems support food security, tourism, and coastal protection, while also offering vital services such as storm buffering and climate regulation. Forests in countries like Guyana, Belize, and Suriname store significant carbon, presenting opportunities for climate finance.

Less well-documented and understood is CARICOM’s rich genetic diversity. This holds significant potential for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biotechnology. In addition, the traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities which possesses valuable knowledge about species and ecosystems can be integrated into sustainable development and protected under intellectual property frameworks. This is an area that holds much potential, and which can benefit from increased technical and scientific cooperation, as well as strategic partnerships that can emerge under the Global Biodiversity Alliance.

CARICOM has played an important role in the multilateral environment and development agenda in advocating to safeguard global natural resources through the holding of significant conferences, including the first Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity in The Bahamas. CARICOM has also piloted resolutions on the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations, and anchored the negotiations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.

Our biological resources, however, face a number of threats,  including climate change, as this Region is particularly vulnerable due to our small landmasses, low elevation, and dependence on climate-sensitive sectors.  Sea level rise threatens coastal habitats – mangroves, seagrass beds and turtle nesting sites, and resultant saltwater intrusion affects freshwater ecosystems. Warmer ocean temperatures trigger bleaching and mass die-offs in coral reefs, and as hurricanes and tropical storms become more frequent and destructive, they cause widespread habitat destruction, pollution, and displacement of species.

Man-made impacts present major threats to CARICOM’s biodiversity, and overexploitation of resources – such as through overfishing, illegal logging, and unregulated water use – alter ecosystems and threaten species.

As CARICOM seeks to balance economic growth and development with ecological sustainability, it has been actively responding to biodiversity loss through a mix of policy development, international collaboration, and regional initiatives. We have recognised that we must be proactive to flip the switch from vulnerability to resilience. Some of our key policy responses include:

• The articulation of the Caribbean Community Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework, which is an umbrella policy to guide sustainable management of environment and natural resources across Member States.

• The Draft CARICOM Biodiversity Strategy, which is being aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to promote harmonised conservation efforts and sustainable use of biodiversity resources.

• Vision 25 by 2025, now 25 by 2025 +5, the regional plan to reduce CARICOM’s food import bill by boosting local agriculture, which integrates biodiversity into food security and production systems.

• Proactive engagement in International Agreements and Treaties, as evidenced by the Region’s strong presence at the 16^th Conference of Parties on Biological Diversity and our leading role in negotiating this treaty on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. 

• Partnerships, for example, with the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the United Nations Environment Programme, to build Member States’ capacity to implement the biodiversity cluster of multilateral environmental agreements.

We have been making steady progress driven by some key partnerships, but attention is needed to address enforcement and governance. It is recognised that capacity building and funding for environmental protection and regulation agencies remain priorities, as well as the need for strengthened mechanisms to enhance community engagement and local stewardship. And perhaps most importantly, we must do more to align biodiversity management and conservation with national development plans.

This Summit is therefore well-poised to allow for attention on how to encourage constructive engagements on partnerships in technical and scientific cooperation, and financing for biodiversity. It will also allow for discussions between commercial users of biodiversity with provider countries on areas, including access to financing and putting biodiversity back on the path to recovery.

It is my hope that the collective will demonstrated by your presence leads to results in positive outcomes that will safeguard biodiversity resources for current and future generations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you.

We are at a pivotal moment in global digital history. Technologies such as AI, quantum computing, 5G, IoT, and blockchain are no longer futuristic—they are shaping our present.

The Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and lead head with responsibility for Science and Technology (including Information and Communications), is advocating for a shared partnership between governments and the private sector towards the realisation of the CARICOM Single ICT Space.

He underscored this in his keynote address at the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO) 40th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition.

“Governments cannot do this alone. The private sector must be a full and active partner—not just in service delivery, but in shaping policy, co-investing in infrastructure, and ensuring inclusion,” stated the Prime Minister.

Please read his keynote address below:

Good morning

It’s a great pleasure to join you at this milestone 40^th Annual CANTO Conference and Trade Exhibition. Being here in The Bahamas — a country that has not only helped shape the foundation of CANTO but continues to lead by example in regional ICT advancement — feels both timely and fitting. This gathering isn’t just a celebration of four decades of collaboration; it’s a moment to take stock of how far we’ve come and to ask bold questions about where we go next. I begin by extending heartfelt thanks to the Government and People of The Bahamas for their warm hospitality and unwavering commitment to regional ICT development.

CANTO @ 40: A Legacy Worth Celebrating

This 40th anniversary is not just a celebration of longevity—it is a testament to CANTO’s enduring impact, influence, and ambition. From its modest beginnings in 1985 with just eight members, CANTO has grown into a formidable regional force, now uniting over 120 members across 32 countries. It stands as the Caribbean’s premier platform for ICT cooperation, technical exchange, and public-private partnership.

CANTO’s evolution mirrors the digital transformation of our region—from landlines to fiber optics, from analog to digital, from isolated systems to integrated cloud infrastructure. It has been a constant enabler of progress, guiding us through the complexities of modernization and innovation.

Grenada’s Commitment: National Vision, Regional Responsibility

As Prime Minister of Grenada and the CARICOM lead Head of Government for ICT, I carry both the responsibility and the passion to ensure that digital transformation in our region is accelerated, inclusive, and human-centred.

In Grenada, we are advancing this transformation through five strategic pillars:

1. Digital Government – Reimagining public service delivery through e-Government platforms that enhance transparency, reduce bureaucracy, and improve efficiency.
2. Digital Infrastructure – Investing in resilient, future-ready systems, including national broadband and satellite connectivity, especially for disaster response.
3. Digital Identity – Rolling out secure national e-ID systems to enable seamless access to services and prevent fraud.
4. Digital Economy – Empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses with digital tools, skills, and funding to scale.
5. Digital Inclusion and Skills – Ensuring every citizen, regardless of age or location, has access to devices, connectivity, and digital literacy.

CARICOM’s Unified Vision: The Single ICT Space

Grenada’s efforts are part of a broader regional ambition: the creation of a CARICOM Single ICT Space—a unified digital ecosystem enabling seamless movement of people, services, and data across borders.

This vision addresses our fragmented markets and infrastructural gaps by:

• Harmonizing spectrum and regulatory frameworks,
• Enabling cross-border digital identity recognition,
• Expanding roaming-free mobile environments,
• And developing shared approaches to cybersecurity, AI, and cloud governance.

Why This Agenda Matters: Global Trends, Local Urgency

We are at a pivotal moment in global digital history. Technologies such as AI, quantum computing, 5G, IoT, and blockchain are no longer futuristic—they are shaping our present.

The question is not whether we will participate, but how—and on whose terms.

Key priorities we must tackle together include:

• Satellite Connectivity – Crucial for small islands and disaster-prone areas to ensure digital continuity.
• Federated Cloud Infrastructure – Building regional cloud capabilities to store data securely and in compliance with our laws.
• Fraud Prevention & Digital ID – Embedding trust architecture into our digital systems from the outset.
• Open RAN and 5G – Leveraging cost-effective, vendor-neutral paths to 5G deployment.
• IoT, Smart Cities, and Fintech – Unlocking their potential through interoperability and regulatory agility.
• AI and Cybersecurity – Ensuring that innovation is matched with robust digital safety frameworks.

The Role of CANTO: Enabling, Bridging, Mobilizing

CANTO is more than a conference—it is a Caribbean institution. It bridges policy and innovation, government strategy and private sector action.

Through CANTO, we have:

• Shared best practices in universal service funding,
• Explored future-proof regulatory models,
• Fostered dialogue on OTTs, fair contribution, and infrastructure sharing,
• And most importantly, built trust across diverse economies with shared aspirations.

I urge CANTO to deepen its role in:

• Policy Shaping – Amplifying the Caribbean voice in global ICT forums,
• Capacity Building – Strengthening the skills of our regulators and engineers,
• Investment Brokering – Connecting infrastructure needs with global capital,
• Talent Development – Cultivating a digitally fluent Caribbean workforce.

Public-Private Synergy: A Shared Responsibility

Governments cannot do this alone. The private sector must be a full and active partner—not just in service delivery, but in shaping policy, co-investing in infrastructure, and ensuring inclusion.

To our telecom providers: your success is tied to the prosperity of the societies you serve. You are not just providers—you are partners in our digital future.

Let us commit to:

• Expanding affordable access in underserved areas,
• Sharing infrastructure to reduce duplication,
• Supporting national initiatives like digital ID and cybersecurity,
• And investing in the education and upskilling of our youth.

This is not a dream. It is a vision within reach—if we act boldly, collaboratively, and with urgency.

A Caribbean Without Digital Borders: Our 2030 Vision

Let us imagine, for a moment, the Caribbean in 2030:

• A child in Barbuda logs into school on a satellite-linked tablet after a hurricane, missing no lessons.
• A nurse in Saint Vincent securely accesses a Grenadian patient’s health records for regional telemedicine.
• A Dominican fintech startup expands to Trinidad and Jamaica through a common digital regulatory framework.
• A digital nomad living in Carriacou contributes to the global AI industry, powered by local gigabit internet.
• Our people, services, and ideas move seamlessly—united by a digital fabric that mirrors our shared history and destiny.

That is the unified and sustainable Gigabit Society we are building.

In closing, let us honour CANTO’s 40-year legacy by building a future that is unified, sustainable, and digitally empowered. We are not simply digitizing our societies—we are shaping the Caribbean’s place in the world.

Let us be bold. Let us be collaborative. Let us be future-ready.

Let us build a Caribbean where every citizen has the access, tools, and confidence to participate fully and securely in the digital age. Let us remember: the next 40 will be even more decisive.

Thank you—and may CANTO continue to grow, lead, and let us move forward—together—towards a truly connected Caribbean.

###

Watch video highlights from Prime Minister Mitchell’s keynote address here.

“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.

“It is also important to explore how the Region’s policymakers and development specialists can partner to exploit the untapped opportunities for securing positive educational outcomes, strengthening community development and facilitating greater youth engagement through chess.”

CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Armstrong Alexis, believes that participation in sport can unlock young people’s potential to secure the Region’s future.

He shared this view at the opening of the CARICOM Chess Classic 2025, held at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana, on Monday, 30 June 2025. The event was organised by the Guyana Chess Federation.

“Not only has chess been associated with increased intelligence and academic performance, but its characteristics as a cognitively demanding game have also made it of high interest in educational spheres, youth engagement, and in promoting mental well-being,” stated Dr Alexis.

He added, “So, this event goes beyond bragging rights and chess mastery. I do not think I exaggerate when I say that this Tournament is also about securing the Region’s future through youth development.”

Please read his complete remarks below.

Salutations

I am honoured and excited to be in your midst this evening. Thank you for the invitation and for the opportunity to address you briefly.

I wish to commend the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF ) for its commitment, not just to nation building but to an even more ambitious goal of deeper regional integration, by taking the lead in organising and hosting yet another chess tournament for the CARICOM Region. Last year, the Secretariat collaborated with the GCF in hosting the Inaugural Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Classic Chess Tournament under the umbrella of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of CARICOM and this year, we are pleased to once again welcome the nine teams from eight territories in the CARICOM Region that have journeyed to Guyana to do battle for chess supremacy.

The Secretariat is thrilled to collaborate with the Federation to execute this event. We are keen on exploring how this partnership can be strengthened and integrated into the wider programmatic and strategic activities associated with the Community’s Sport Development Programme.

I wish to also commend the Pegasus Hotel Guyana and all sponsors for placing their support behind this initiative. The successful execution of this event truly is a demonstration of the role that partnerships can play in accelerating sport development in the Region.

The Caribbean Community places strong emphasis on sport as a vector of change in the Region. The Secretariat’s Sport Development Programme is strategically moving to mobilise partners across the Region in an effort to strengthen the governance of the sector and widen the spectrum of sports available to youth. We all know that participation in sport serves as a vehicle to mitigate against crime and other antisocial behaviour, especially amongst youth. I therefore urge not only the participants, but the organizers of this tournament to continue the effort to ensure that the young citizens of our beloved Caribbean continue to use sport and in this particular instance, Chess, as a means of remaining gainfully engaged, gain useful life skills and values, strengthen bonds, and impact positively on our nations.

Ladies and gentlemen, the initiative that we are gathered here to get underway is a consequential one. Given the rising concerns with youth disengagement in the Region and the persistent productivity gaps when compared with the rest of the world, mind sports, such as chess, offer solutions – if we are able to leverage them effectively.

So, this event goes beyond bragging rights and chess mastery. I do not think I exaggerate when I say that this Tournament is also about securing the region’s future through youth development.

It is now well known that there are various cognitive and non-cognitive benefits of chess. Chess promotes mental focus, strategic thinking, cognitive agility, impulse control, and a greater capacity to make decisions in the face of ambiguity.

The skills learned through chess are transferable to domains such as socio-affective development, memory and creativity, visuo-spatial abilities, problem-solving abilities, and even reductions in risk-aversion.

Not only has chess been associated with increased intelligence and academic performance, but its characteristics as a cognitively demanding game have also made it of high interest in educational spheres, youth engagement and in promoting mental well-being.

The CARICOM Secretariat is, therefore, happy to be partnering with Chess Federations and members of the Region’s sporting fraternity gathered here today, to explore how chess can be routinised as a sport to which all children have access from early and throughout the various stages of their development.

It is also important to explore how the Region’s policymakers and development specialists can partner to exploit the untapped opportunities for securing positive educational outcomes, strengthening community development and facilitating greater youth engagement through chess.

The Secretariat expresses well wishes to all the players and teams who are here to participate in this Tournament, and I look forward to seeing the knock-on effects that this year’s tournament will likely catalyse.

Thank you!

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

Please read the full the remarks delivered by the CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett at the Caribbean-Brazil Summit, Brasilia, Brazil, 13 June 2025.

• Your Excellency Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil;

• Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP, Prime Minister of Barbados, and Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM);

• Other Heads of State and Government of CARICOM and the Wider Caribbean;

• Ministers and Other Heads of Delegation;

• Distinguished Delegates;

• Representatives of the Media;

• Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my distinct pleasure to address this Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean and Brazil.

Mr. President, in April 2010, you hosted the Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) here in Brasilia for the Inaugural CARICOM-Brazil Summit. That meeting was a historic milestone that laid the foundation for our strong relationship.

As we gather again in Brasilia, 15 years later, we thank you and your Government for hosting us once more, as we discuss matters of strategic importance to Brazil and the Caribbean.

Mr. President, your visionary leadership and firm commitment to South-South cooperation, in a world facing threats to multilateralism, sovereignty, international law, human rights, peace and security, is not just welcome, it is essential.

Under your guidance, Brazil has further cemented its hemispheric and international influence and has been actively involved in regional and global platforms as a leading voice in support of the interests of the Global South. We particularly commend Brazil’s G20 presidency last year, which championed a multi-stakeholder approach to tackling the critical issues of poverty, hunger, and inequality.

As we gather to discuss matters of hemispheric concerns, our sister nation, Haiti, continues to face severe humanitarian, security, political and governance crises. CARICOM reiterates its solidarity with Haiti and its willingness to continue, along with Brazil and other international partners, to work with Haiti to foster stability, and support the Haitian people in building a more secure and prosperous future.

Excellency, the Caribbean Community greatly appreciates Brazil’s insightful perspective on the challenges facing Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States (SIDS). The Region was heartened by the commitment given by Brazil last year to stand by our countries, in the face of the Caribbean’s vulnerability to extreme events. We look forward to Brazil’s continued advocacy for a rapid and flexible implementation of the 2030 and beyond Development Agenda, which considers the specific needs of small states.

Mr. President, Caribbean countries are amongst the lowest emitters of greenhouse gases but are amongst the most adversely affected by climate change, which has manifested itself in ways that include unusual rainfall patterns in our Region, and the increased intensity and frequency of hurricanes. The unfortunate experiences of several countries around this table have provided sufficient evidence of its damaging effects.

The truth is that if all the nations around this table did everything that we can, as we are doing, to eliminate our emissions of greenhouse gasses and methane, sea levels will still rise because we do not contribute in any meaningful way to the emissions that fuel global warming and climate change. But we bear the major burden.

The issue of climate change is not a matter that we can continue to simply debate. It is here, it is real, and we are living with its impact daily. As such, we look forward to Brazil’s continued support in advocating for the concerns of SIDS in international fora, particularly as host and President of COP30 later this year.

Before I conclude, I must express appreciation for Brazil’s continued efforts to engage and strengthen the existing partnership with CARICOM. The Inaugural Meeting of the CARICOM-Brazil Joint Commission, held virtually in April this year, represents another step in revitalising our relationship and reaffirming our mutual commitment to a stronger future.

I end by expressing warm appreciation to the Government and People of Brazil for the excellent hospitality and logistical arrangements that facilitated our journey from across the Caribbean to Brasilia. Let this spirit of friendship inspire us to deepen our cooperation and ensure our partnership remains a shining model of South-South collaboration for the mutual benefit of the Caribbean and Brazil.

I thank you.

I want to begin by thanking the Secretary-General and CARICOM Secretariat as a whole, for the excellent arrangements in place for us to gather here at the Secretariat and virtually.

Two years ago, we could never have imagined the turmoil that the global trading system and the global economy are confronted with. Our business community is reeling from cancelled export orders, the imposition of new and unexpected tariffs and unprecedented uncertainties.

It is in this context that today I wish to underscore the important role assigned to the COTED as the Council that addresses the Single Market and trade and economic development issues that are at the forefront of our Community’s concerns. Trade and economic development issues were and will always be at the top of this Community’s development agenda as a grouping of small states.

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. These considerations must be uppermost on our minds today as we take these critical decisions in our region’s interest.

Excellencies, our meeting will consider the actionable recommendations of our Senior Officials who met on 7-8 May 2025. I am confident that all the reports from the Preparatory Meeting of Officials and other documentation have been reviewed, and delegations are briefed and ready to work. We are convened here at a moment of tremendous global and geopolitical tension and unease. As we attempt to navigate these turbulent waters, I want to acknowledge and express gratitude to Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General CARICOM; Amb Wayne McCook, Assistant Secretary-General, CARICOM Single Market and Trade; Dr. Wendell Samuel, Assistant Secretary-General Economic Integration, Innovation and Development; General Counsel Lisa Shoman, upon whom I will rely on to assist us during the course of our deliberations.

Excellencies, we have a range of matters for discussion/decision. We will take note of the status of work on the development of COTED Draft Rules of Procedure emanating from the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG). With respect to implementation of the CSME, we have work to do on the trade in goods regime that is a mainstay of COTED’s work. In this regard we will consider:

– Requests for suspensions of the CET received by the Secretary General between 27 May and 3 June 2025.

– Outcomes of regional consultations on the Review of Community RoO and on the Use of specifications in applications for suspensions of the CET and the granting of safeguard certificates.

– The implementation of the revised CET regime.

– We will also consider important initiatives of the CSME which need to be advanced with urgency with respect to Free movement of all CARICOM nationals; the Community’s Competition Policy regime, the Regional Industrial Policy and strategy, and the assessment of the Impacts and Potential Benefits of the CSME.

– On External Trade Relations, we will consider multilateral developments in the WTO; key developments in US trade policy that impact CARICOM trade and economic prospects; regional preparations for the resumption of negotiations with Colombia; and Belize’s request for certification and approval of its Partial Scope Agreement with El Salvador.

– On Standards, we will consider CROSQ’s request for approval of two Final Draft CARICOM Regional Standards and an update on the ongoing conversations regarding the Front of Package Labelling (FOPL).

Additionally, there are several matters for information/update regarding:

– Implementation of the CARICOM Interactive Marketplace and Suspension Procedure (CIMSuPRO)

– Implementation of the Protocol on Public Procurement in the Community

– Progress with respect to the programme of support measures for implementation of Article 164 of the Revised Treaty, among other things.

Excellencies, we have a full agenda. I intend to keep our deliberations focused – agenda item by agenda item. I encourage brief and focused interventions directed to the issues under consideration. Above all things, let us be ready to take bold and decisive action on matters that require clear direction from us as Ministers in the collective interest of this Region.

 Other Ministers and Heads of Delegations joining us in Georgetown and Online;

 Heads and Other Representatives of Community Institutions.

 Ambassador Wayne McCook, Assistant Secretary General, CARICOM Single Market and Trade, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat;

 Other Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat;

 Distinguished Delegates;

 Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a pleasure to welcome you to Guyana for this Sixtieth Meeting of the Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED). Welcome as well to those who are not here in person but have joined us online.

You are meeting against the background of many trade-related challenges facing the Region, and in a geo-political environment which is changing very rapidly. The recent tariff shocks are a stark reminder of the need to diversify our trade and economic relations. We must redouble our efforts to deepen existing, and explore new markets and develop new partnerships, if the Region is to advance its goals of economic growth and sustainable development.

As such, the work to address the way forward in trade relations with the United States; the bilateral negotiations with Colombia; and the outstanding Certification of the Belize-El Salvador Partial Scope Agreement, must be given focused attention.

Equally, we need to promote regional production and expand intra-regional trade by updating policies and practices to support entrepreneurship and make trade and business development easier. We also have an imperative to address the impediments to trade and remove longstanding issues of “non-compliance” from the agenda.

I am pleased that a report on the Regional Industrial Policy will be presented to you at this session. This Policy can become an important aspect of deepening of the regional integration strategy going forward, and I urge you to give focused attention as to how it will be finalised and implemented.

Excellencies, the Region also needs to more efficiently harness the competencies of our Regional Institutions and work more effectively together to advance the work of the Community. Time is too short, and resources are too scarce for us to continue to work in silos when collaboration and joint effort can save resources, both human and financial, and deliver better results. The Secretariat continues to seek to work collaboratively with our stakeholders, and we will see this when the Secretariat team reports on work alongside partners like the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO), on critical research and analysis on trade challenges. I wish, in this regard, to publicly recognise the work done with the CPSO on issues of trade advocacy, particularly with respect to the America First Trade Policy and related actions against certain shipping and maritime interests.

Excellencies, this COTED has made progress on a number of issues. For others, finalisation of work is possible. Among these is the urgency of advancing the completion, and implementation of the revised Common External Tariff and the Community’s Rules of Origin Regime.

I commend our regional Senior Officials for their preparatory work and the Report which the COTED will consider at this Meeting provides a solid basis to address significant policy questions and deliver concrete and actionable decisions that are time bound.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, I urge this COTED to make full use of the Treaty’s rules and flexibilities as it addresses the matters before it, especially the most sensitive.

I am confident that under the leadership of the Chair, and with the valuable contribution of Ministers and other Heads of Delegations present, and through robust discussion and engagement, there will be meaningful outcomes from this Sixtieth Meeting of the Council. My team and I remain ready to give you and the Meeting our full support.

Thank you.