“Strength in Unity: Forging Caribbean Resilience, Inclusive Growth, and Sustainable Development” is the theme of the 48th Regular CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, which started on Wednesday in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Head of the Caribbean Community and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, called on regional leaders to act on several key issues. Among them was the free movement of the CARICOM people within the region and the improvement of living standards.
Prime Minister Mottley said there was a pressing issue that needed to be addressed at this Heads of Government Meeting.
“Whether it is assessed as the imports, whether it is an issue of a small fee for all border passings, people coming in and out of our borders, or whether it is the assignment of renewable energy licences to CARICOM and our regional institutions, the time is upon us for settling the independent funding of this Caribbean Community.”
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called on the Caribbean Community to work with Europe.
“This is a central goal of Europe’s Global Gateway Investment Programme. And today we are launching a new energy transition partnership to produce clean energy and clean hydrogen in the Caribbean, but we are also working on local clean tech value chains.”
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for the continuing crisis in Haiti to be addressed.
“Address the appalling situation in Haiti, where gangs are inflicting intolerable suffering on a desperate and frightened people. CARICOM and the Eminent Persons Group have provided invaluable support. We must keep working for a process owned and led by the Haitians that restores democratic institutions through elections.”
Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, is in Barbados attending his final Heads of Government Meeting before he retires.