The Forty-Fourth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held from 15-17 February 2023. Chair of the Conference, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Rt Honourable Philip Davis presided over the proceedings.
Other Members of the Conference in attendance were: Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Gaston Browne; Prime Minister of Barbados, Honourable Mia Amor Mottley; Prime Minister of Belize, Honourable John Briceño; Prime Minister of Dominica, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit; Prime Minister of Grenada, Honourable Dickon Mitchell; President of Guyana, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister of Haiti, the Honourable Ariel Henry; Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness; Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr Terrence Drew; Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Honourable Philip Pierre; the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves and the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley.
Suriname was represented by the Honourable Albert Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Co-operation.
Associate Members in attendance were: Bermuda represented by Hon. Walter H. Roban Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs; British Virgin Islands represented by Premier, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley; and the Turks and Caicos Islands represented by Premier Honourable Charles Misick.
CARICOM 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Heads of Government acknowledged that a 50th Anniversary was a very special occasion for any organisation.
They reflected that for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), marking the occasion should have a dual purpose. First, it should be a time for Review, Reflection, Reform and Renewal, in terms of looking back at the last fifty years and strategizing for the next fifty. Second, it should serve as an opportunity for the entire Community to celebrate in recognition of the achievements to date.
In that regard Heads of Government considered proposals for the CARICOM Fiftieth Anniversary Celebrations and agreed on the need to develop and implement activities at the national and regional levels in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of CARICOM.
UWI 75th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Heads of Government noted the presentation by the Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies on plans to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the University of the West Indies.
SANCTIONS
Heads of Government reiterated their call for the lifting of the unjust financial, economic and trade embargo against the Government and people of Cuba.
(Cubaminrex - CARICOM)