CARICOM                                February 19, 2025

   They will discuss several pressing issues for the Community, including food and nutrition security, climate change and the climate finance agenda; the ongoing challenges in Haiti; security issues; digital resilience; external relations matters and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Other issues such as maritime and air transport, West Indies Cricket, and, and reparations will also occupy the attention of the leaders over the two-day period.

   The Meeting’s Opening Ceremony will feature addresses by the Chairman, Hon. Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados; outgoing Chairman, Hon. Dickon Mitchell of Grenada; the new Premier of Montserrat, Hon. Reuben T. Meade, and CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett. Special Guest, President of the European Commission, H.E. Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, and Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. António Guterres will also address the Ceremony.

   Prime Minister Mottley set the tone for CARICOM’s focus over the next six months in her New Year’s message when she highlighted the need for the Community to resume full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, conscious that it “is not merely an economic agenda, but a vision of unity and opportunity for small states to achieve greater economic resilience”. Central to the focus on the CSME is the full realisation of the free movement of CARICOM nationals, which, according to the new Chair “is essential for unlocking the true potential of the people and economies of the Community”.

   While the Vision 25 by 2025” agenda remains in view for the Community to reduce reliance on imported food and to ramp up intra-regional production in specialised commodities, Prime Minister Mottley has also noted the need to apply some of the recommendations of the CARICOM Commission on the Economy.

   The Chair also indicated that CARICOM would persist in advocating for reforms highlighted in the Bridgetown Initiative and working with others, for a better financial landscape regionally and globally to build resilience, prosperity and equity for the people of the Community.