As the final event of CARICOM Energy Month 2025, the walk underscores the Region’s unified commitment to accelerating its transition to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy systems. A diverse group of participants is expected to participate including government ministries and agencies, regional organisations, development partners, the private sector, civil society, academia, and youth groups.

Participants will assemble from 5:15 a.m. AST at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters in Turkeyen for an aerobic warm-up, before starting the walk at 6:00 a.m. AST. The route will take walkers along the Railway Embankment to the Sheriff Street Roundabout before returning to the Secretariat.

The event concludes with a short programme and remarks from regional leaders and partners, including:

· Hon. Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Anthony Phillips, M.S.S. Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana

· Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General, CARICOM Secretariat

· Shevon Wood, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Energy Agency

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, 29 November 2025

Time: 5:15 a.m. AST (Assembly)

Starting Point: CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana

Registration: Scan the QR code on the official event poster

Contact: energy.programme@caricom.org

For more information, email: energy.programme@caricom.org or visit caricom.org

Dr. Barnett is on a three-day official visit to the Dutch-speaking Member State from 24 -26 November to participate in activities marking this historic milestone.

The Secretary-General attended a networking reception hosted by the President of Suriname, H.E. Jennifer Geerlings Simons, for stakeholders and key development partners. She also participated in the National 50th Independence Anniversary Thanksgiving Service.

On 25 November, Dr. Barnett also attended an Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Suriname, and she will join officials at a Parade of the Armed Forces, which will feature parachute jumping demonstrations in celebration of the Golden Jubilee.

During her visit, the Secretary-General will also pay a Courtesy Call on the President of Suriname.

In a congratulatory message to the President of Suriname, Her Excellency Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett said:

“For thirty years, Suriname has been a valued Member of CARICOM, as the Community’s first non-English speaking country. This visionary action has been well-demonstrated though its commitment to regional integration, including as the lead Head of Government in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet on Community Development and Cultural Cooperation, including Culture, Gender, Youth and Sport, as well as Industrial Policy.”

The Secretary-General’s full message reads as follows:

“Excellency,

On behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I extend warm congratulations to the Government and People of the Republic of Suriname as you celebrate your nation’s Fiftieth Anniversary of Independence.

The theme for this Golden Jubilee, “Srefidensi na Srefidenki” (Independence through Reflection), reminds us that independence is best anchored on courageous thoughts, decisions, and actions, thereby giving true meaning to sovereignty.

For thirty years, Suriname has been a valued Member of CARICOM, as the Community’s first non-English speaking country. This visionary action has been well-demonstrated through its commitment to regional integration, including as the lead Head of Government in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet on Community Development and Cultural Cooperation, including Culture, Gender, Youth and Sport, as well as Industrial Policy. Further, Suriname’s stewardship and advocacy on climate change and forests have strengthened our Community’s global voice on this critical issue.

We look forward to your continued active engagement within the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet on these issues, which lie at the heart of regional transformation, resilient societies, creative economies, and an empowered citizenry.

CARICOM values the deep bonds of friendship and cooperation that we share with Suriname. On this momentous occasion, the Community extends very best wishes to the Government and People of Suriname for joyous celebrations, and continued peace, prosperity, and progress. Happy Fiftieth Independence Anniversary!”

Ends.

Please read her message below:

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) joins the global community in recognising the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, during which four important days will be observed: the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, Human Rights Defenders’ Day on 29 November, World AIDS Day on 1 December and Human Rights Day on 10 December.

The campaign underscores that violence denies women and girls the enjoyment of the full complement of their human rights.  CARICOM joins this global call to action against harmful gender norms, impunity, silence and stigma, all of which have allowed violence against women and girls to become normalized in far too many communities.

This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” addresses thealarming rise of digital violence against women and girls, fueled by artificial intelligence, online anonymity, and weak legal accountability. Despite the internet’s potential for empowerment, women and girls now face increased threats, including cyber harassment, deepfake attacks, and relentless online abuse. UN Women reports that 1.8 billion women and girls lack legal protection from technology-facilitated abuse, with less than 40% of countries having relevant laws. The escalation of AI-driven abuse has made it faster, more targeted and harder to detect, with deepfake pornography disproportionately affecting women.

The rise of the “manosphere”, a network of online communities promoting toxic masculinity and misogyny, adds to the growing threat to gender equality; it negatively affects the mental and physical wellbeing of both women and men, and deters women from participating in digital spaces. With billions of people online, digital platforms are increasingly being used to spread hate, harmful stereotypes, reinforce sexist ideologies and portray feminism negatively among young men and boys. Social media is being used to amplify these divisive messages, causing real-world impacts on attitudes and behaviours, affecting careers, shaping culture, causing fear and contributing to extreme acts of violence.

There is an urgent need to devise effective approaches to counteract toxic online environments. Multifaceted efforts must include research, policy advocacy, support for survivors, public education about gender equality and healthy relationships, youth-focused programs, digital literacy and cultural change. Emphasis should continue to be placed on legislative reform; hiring of more women in the digital space; swift removal of harmful content; and deceleration of the spread of misogynistic ideas.

According to the United Nations, one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, most often at the hands of an intimate partner. Prevalence surveys conducted between 2017-2019 in five CARICOM Member States, sampling women and girls 15-64 years old, indicate incidence rates as high as one in two women. The social and economic consequences are concerning, with potential costs in healthcare, legal services and lost productivity. This underscores the need for a comprehensive response in our countries. 

CARICOM Member States have been implementing measures to address violence against women and girls by promoting gender equality, strengthening legal frameworks and enhancing support systems for survivors. The CARICOM Secretariat remains committed to supporting Member States in developing and implementing polices to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, including through facilitating training of frontline professionals, including police, healthcare workers and social service providers, to better respond to cases of gender-based violence.

Today we honour the courage of survivors, amplify their voices, and commit to remain united in the pursuit of justice and equality. The eradication of violence against women is not only a moral and vital human rights imperative, but a prerequisite for sustainable development and prosperity. In a Region of some 16 million people, more than half of whom are women and girls, we are individually and collectively responsible for creating safe, inclusive, and equitable societies, where every woman and girl can live free from fear and violence.

She expressed appreciation for the support the Community has received from the EU over the years and emphasised the need for continued collaboration, particularly in addressing climate change. She referenced her visit on Monday 17 November to Jamaica alongside CARICOM Heads of Government to show the Community’s solidarity following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

“It is a terrible situation. There is need for support for clean-up, humanitarian relief and reconstruction because the job confronting Jamaica is unimaginable. They are still counting the losses. There was infrastructure that was newly built, roads that have been washed away, houses are gone,” Dr Barnett said, explaining the scale of the destruction.

She also highlighted the challenge of restoring livelihoods in western Jamaica, where the agricultural sector suffered severe damage for a second consecutive year.

Turning attention to Haiti, the Secretary-General thanked the EU for its support as an organisation and from EU member states which assist Haiti directly. She stressed the need for international financing to sustain security efforts on the ground, particularly in the transition from the Multinational Security Support Mission to the Gang Suppression Force.

“There is a lot for us to work on together,” Dr. Barnett told Ambassador Pierantoni, reaffirming the Secretariat’s readiness to support efforts to strengthen the CARICOM-EU partnership.

Ambassador Pierantoni, who served in Guyana from 2014 to 2015 as Head of Regional EU-Caribbean Cooperation, expressed his commitment to deepening CARICOM-EU relations, highlighting the shared values on regional integration, multilateral cooperation, human rights, international law, and democracy.

“These are difficult times, the world is changing rapidly, and it is very important that we remain credible partners with a firm belief in multilateralism,” Ambassador Pierantoni stated.

He recalled the participation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Barbados earlier this year. This he said, reaffirmed the EU’s high regard for its relationship with CARICOM. Ambassador Pierantoni also reiterated EU solidarity and willingness to continue supporting Member States affected by Hurricane Melissa.

CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, Elizabeth Solomon, addressed the CARICOM–UNDP High-Level Meeting on Addressing Crime and Violence as a Regional Challenge: Integrating Health, Justice, and Social Policy.

In her remarks, Solomon underscored the urgent need for a coordinated regional response to violent crime, which she described as a scourge undermining economic growth, social development, and the well-being of Caribbean citizens, particularly young people.

She noted that while several initiatives have been implemented across the Region, including community resilience programmes, youth projects, mental health interventions, and justice sector reforms, crime statistics remain deeply troubling. The challenge, she emphasised, is scaling up successful national programmes into a strategic regional framework.

The UNDP has identified organised crime as a major threat to security, governance, and human development in the Caribbean, given the Region’s role as a transhipment route for drugs, weapons, and people. The UNDP’s Regional Human Development Report highlights the need to link governance, justice, and community security to address these pressures.

On CARICOM’s side, Heads of Government have advanced the issue through a series of Regional Symposia on Crime and Violence, producing key declarations such as the George-Bridge Declaration and the Needham’s Point Declaration. These frameworks recognise violent crime as not only a legal problem but also a social and economic one and call for a public health approach to prevention.

The current meeting builds on the CARICOM–UNDP Memorandum of Understanding (2022–2027) and its 2024 Action Plan, aiming to strengthen institutional and community capacities, mobilise resources, and foster collaboration across health, justice, and social sectors. Solomon stressed the importance of developing a Resource Mobilisation Roadmap and harnessing the creativity and commitment of Caribbean youth in shaping solutions.

“This is a meeting of minds around an issue that is challenging our Region in a myriad of destructive ways,” she said, urging participants to lead the way through meaningful discussion and collective action.

Please read the ASG’s complete speech below:

Salutations

Ladies and gentlemen, this is an important meeting. This is a meeting of minds around an issue that is challenging our region in a myriad of destructive ways. Not only is violent crime in and of itself a scourge that is wreaking havoc upon the lives of excessively large numbers of citizens of the Caribbean Community, crime and violence has stunted our economic growth, it profoundly undermines the fulsome development of our societies and already affects the health and wellbeing of our young people and even future generations.

We are not breaking new ground here by any means. This is not a recent refrain. Already there have have been a slew of helpful and somewhat successful responses backed up by resources, such as the Citizen Security programme here in Trinidad funded by the IDB, which focused on community resilience and alternative dispute resolution skills among other things. In fact, there have been  a wide range of initiatives undertaken by various invested stakeholders, including CARICOM and the United Nations that encompass mental health programmes, Youth projects, collection of critical and transformative Crime and violence data, multi sectoral approaches to gender based violence and criminal justice training and reform, particularly focused on backlog reduction and interoperability along the justice chain. Yet, as we all know, the violent crime statistics remain of grave concern. 

The question we must urgently explore is how do we scale up some of these nationally successful programmes and what would be a strategic regional approach that brings together all these different relatively small scale initiatives.

The United Nations Development Programme working in the Caribbean has identified that Organized Crime continues to threaten security, governance, and human development across the Caribbean. As a key transshipment route for drugs, weapons, and people, the region faces compounding social and economic pressures that weaken institutions and undermine public trust.
The UNDP Regional Human Development Report (HDR) for Latin America and the Caribbean highlights the urgent need to address violence, insecurity, and institutional fragility as core development challenges and identifies the importance of linking governance, justice, and community security.

On CARICOM’s side, the Heads of Government have been ceased of this issue in a meaningful and coordinated way. The first Regional Symposium on Crime and Violence as a Public Health Issue, which took place here in Port of Spain brought together all the Heads of Government. The Second Regional Symposium on Crime and Violence did the same and produced the George-Bridge Declaration that identified the beginnings of a multi-sectoral framework for the way forward, including an agreed definition of a “Public Health Approach” and the appointment of a “High Representative on Law and Criminal Justice” to strengthen law enforcement and enhance efficiency in the criminal justice sector. He joins us here today. The Third Regional Symposium on Crime and Violence will take place as an adjunct of the Heads of Government meeting in St Kitts and Nevis in February next year. In other words, this meeting of minds over the next two days is very timely.

The CARICOM–UNDP MOU (2022–2027) and its 2024 Action Plan provides the policy framework for collaboration to operationalizes priorities from the CARICOM Regional Symposiums. The George-Bridge Declaration puts meat on the bare-bones priorities of the first Regional Symposium and the important recommendations of the Needham’s Point Declaration which, critically in the scheme of our cross-sectoral thinking, was the initiative of the Caribbean Court of Justice and acknowledged that that violent crime is not just a legal problem but a social and economic one.

This meetings stems from the objectives of this collaborative engagement between CARICOM and UNDP to support the development of a regional programme concept that strengthens institutional and community capacities to prevent and respond to organized crime while mobilizing new resources for implementation.

Our remit at this  High Level meeting is  to explore how criminal justice reforms, aligned with the 2023 Needham’s Point Declaration and the 2024 George-Bridge Declaration can serve as a catalyst for crime prevention, social reintegration, and community resilience for fostering collaboration among the health, justice and social actors. We must seek to advance human rights based approaches and establish a united regional framework that positions the reduction of violent crime as both a public health and justice reform priority, grounded in evidence and inclusive development. The discussions our collective minds generate will also support the development of an integrated regional programmatic approach and contribute to an analytic brief linking organized crime dynamics to human development, governance, and social inclusion and identifying the practical mechanisms necessary for change, such as a justice sector reform that informs, and is informed by, the data that a public health approach can provide.

In the current environment where multilateral engagements are not as straightforward as they ought to be, and international donor partners are themselves severely constrained, we must match our thinking on the substance with a pragmatic development of a  Resource Mobilization Roadmap identifying partners, funding streams, and synergies with ongoing UNDP and CARICOM initiatives.

We must harness the powerful capacity of our exceptional young people by giving them a solid foundational plan to follow. Young people such as Denyce Blackman who has produced an excellent analysis of why the Needham’s Point Declaration matters to the citizens of the Caribbean Community; or UNDP Trinidad’s  Kwesi Hamilton who creates space for other young voices and works on innovative projects like the Psychosocial Art and Sports Model for PeaceBuilding;   or Reyanna Sankar – a former Human Rights Law student of mine, who now advises the Government of St Kitts on justice reform; and all the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors who demonstrate powerful commitment to the development of this region across various disciplines.

Let us lead the way through meaningful discussion.

Thank You

The Mission was deployed in response to an invitation extended by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in a letter dated 2 October 2025. The CARICOM Election Observation Mission will be in the country for the period 20-29 November 2025.

The Mission comprises senior electoral and other officials from seven CARICOM Member States, as well as three members of the CARICOM Secretariat, who will provide administrative and logistical support.

The CEOM is headed by the Chief of Mission, Mr. Sase R. Gunraj, Commissioner, Guyana Elections Commission. The other members of the CEOM are as follows:

1. Mr. Clovis St. Romain, Member, Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (Antigua and Barbuda);
2. His Honour Arthur Eugene Holder, SC. MP, Speaker of the House of Assembly (Barbados);
3. Ms. Anthea Joseph, Chief Elections Officer, Electoral Commission (Dominica);
4. Ms. Karina Nicola Thomas, Systems Administrator, Parliamentary Elections Office (Grenada);
5. Mrs. Dorinnie Irma, Member of the Independent Electoral Council (Suriname); and
6. Ms. Gillian Macintyre, Chair of the Human Resource Sub Committee, Elections and Boundaries Commission (Trinidad and Tobago).

The CEOM is supported by the following CARICOM Secretariat staff:

1. Ms. Shae-Alicia Lewis, Programme Manager, Community Relations;

2. Mr. Irvin Brown, Project Officer, Foreign and Community Relations; and

3. Ms. Serojnie Seetaram, Senior Secretary, Foreign and Community Relations.

The Chief of Mission and CARICOM Secretariat staff, who comprise the Core Group, arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 20 November 2025. The remaining members of the observation team are expected to arrive by 23 November 2025.

To date, the CEOM has met with the Honourable Daniel Cummings, Chairman of the New Democratic Party (NDP), representing Dr. Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition and of the NDP, and Dr. Doris Frederick, Leader of the National Liberation Movement (NLM). We have also met with representatives of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union, the Voice of the Disabled, and the media.

In the coming days, the CEOM is scheduled to meet with Dr. the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP); Ms. Dora James, Supervisor of Elections; and Mr. Enville Williams, Commissioner of Police. The team will also engage with other political actors and civil society institutions. These engagements are expected to provide the CEOM with a first-hand account of the pre-election atmosphere and assess the level of preparedness for the holding of the elections.

The role of the CEOM Observers on Election Day is to observe the electoral process, including preparations for the start of the poll, the casting of votes, the closure of the polling stations, the counting of the ballots, and the declaration of results. The CEOM will also assess the immediate post-election atmosphere.

Following the conclusion of the Election Day activities on 27 November 2025, and prior to the departure of the CEOM on 29 November 2025, a Preliminary Statement will be issued, outlining the Mission’s initial assessment of the electoral process.

A detailed Final Report providing a summary of the Mission’s comprehensive findings and recommendations will subsequently be prepared. This Report will be submitted to Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, and subsequently made public.

The CARICOM Election Observation Mission values this opportunity to support the democratic process in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Mission expresses its appreciation for the warm welcome and cooperation received since its arrival and extends its best wishes to the electorate as they prepare to go to the polls.

SASE R. GUNRAJ

CHIEF OF MISSION

21 November 2025

The two-day event, hosted by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and supported by the Canadian High Commission and Auxilium Worldwide, brought together regional law enforcement, customs, fisheries and environmental protection agencies to enhance their investigative capacity against this growing environmental crime.

Speaking at the start of the workshop, Ms. Nadine Bushell, Assistant Director – Projects, CARICOM IMPACS, warned that organised criminals were evolving and leveraging gaps in knowledge of natural resource and environmental crime issues to evade detection by law enforcement. She lamented that these environmental crime activities converge with other serious transnational organised crimes and nefarious activities that put the Caribbean Region at risk.
 

“At CARICOM IMPACS, we have observed a troubling acceleration in transnational organised criminal networks exploiting the Region’s natural resources for profit. The extremely high value of glass eels in the global market has made this a lucrative commodity that has been set upon by criminal actors who target these low-risk and high-value commodities as they diversify their criminal activities beyond the well-known crimes that law enforcement typically monitor and scrutinise”, she explained.

Ms. Bushell added that CARICOM IMPACS remains a steadfast advocate for the protection of the Caribbean’s natural resources and noted that addressing environmental crime and natural resource exploitation by criminals calls for deeper regional cooperation to strengthen the Caribbean’s collective response to this nefarious activity.

Her Excellency Brenda Wills, High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, said globally, the illegal trade in eels is estimated to be worth up to US$3 billion annually and that the Caribbean has become a key location for the capture and illegal export of eels, often destined for markets in Asia via North America

“This illicit trade threatens biodiversity, undermines legal economies and erodes the rule of law. Canada recognises the importance of regional cooperation in tackling these crimes and is proud to support initiatives like this workshop – which help to strengthen intelligence sharing, build capacity and foster collaboration across borders”, she emphasised. 

The High Commissioner added that combating wildlife trafficking required a whole-of-system approach, strong legislation, effective enforcement and robust reporting mechanisms coupled with education and awareness to ensure the public’s understanding and vigilance so that these crimes do not flourish in the shadows. 

Dr. David Soud, Subject Matter Expert at Auxilium Worldwide and workshop facilitator, stated that while eels may seem insignificant, they are key components of different types of aquatic ecosystems around the world, both as a food source when young and predators when mature. He explained they are a highly valued food source for human beings, especially in Asia, where most of the world’s eel products – over 150,000 tonnes of them – are consumed annually, including in sushi restaurants everywhere. 

“The challenge for us here in the Caribbean is that this demand for eels has driven multiple species onto endangered lists. In the past few decades, we have seen a cascading decline in eel species. The illicit trade in eels is a highly lucrative, multi-million-dollar criminal enterprise spanning the Caribbean, with estimates for the Region’s total trafficking volume ranging from 20 to over 100 tonnes annually,” he revealed. 

This trade is concentrated in key source countries including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica. The financial incentive is staggering as glass eels sell for as much as US$5,000 per kilogram to local collectors before being moved to concealed warehouses. They are then exported through North America (the United States (US) and Canada) for onward re-export to Hong Kong and the lucrative Asian eel farming industry, with prices multiplying several times along the route. 

Dr. Soud further added that the high value and complex logistics of this trade have drawn in global organised crime groups (OCGs), many of whom are already involved in trafficking drugs, weapons and human beings. “These networks orchestrate the entire process, from collection to movement and money laundering. Crucially, the legitimate global eel market, which is valued at billions, is exploited, allowing OCGs to use the legal supply chain to launder the proceeds generated not only from the eel black market itself but also from their other, broader criminal activities,” he continued. 

He said the purpose of the workshop was for CARICOM IMPACS and its partners to achieve comparable agility and efficiency in countering the threat of the illicit trade in eels. “CARICOM IMPACS is uniquely suited to address this challenge, because to take on criminal networks, we need well-networked law enforcement and security agencies. We plan to emerge from this workshop better informed and better equipped to undertake this important work,” he assured.

The intensive programme includes sessions on emerging methodologies used by traffickers, data analysis to trace financial flows and case studies detailing successful global interventions. Participants were drawn from across CARICOM Member States, ensuring a unified approach to addressing trafficking routes and enforcement challenges across multiple jurisdictions.

Hurricane Melissa, a powerful late-season storm, caused widespread socio-economic disruption across Jamaica. Torrential rainfall, destructive winds, and severe flooding resulted in significant damage to public infrastructure, homes, and essential services. Several parishes experienced major impacts to road networks, utilities, and community facilities, limiting mobility, interrupting livelihoods, and heightening vulnerabilities among at-risk populations. The rapid accumulation of debris and environmental hazards has further strained recovery efforts and heightened public health concerns.

Under the approved intervention, the CDF will provide US$500,000 to support early recovery efforts, with a focus on the rapid and safe management of the extensive debris generated by the hurricane. The support aims to restore access to essential services, reduce public health and environmental risks, and accelerate economic recovery in the most affected and underserved communities. The intervention is being delivered in collaboration with the UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Jamaica.

Commenting on the approval, CDF Chief Executive Officer Rodinald Soomer said:

“The CARICOM Development Fund stands resolutely with Jamaica in this time of need. Our commitment to supporting Member States during periods of crisis remains unwavering, and this relief package reflects our belief in regional solidarity and shared responsibility. By providing this emergency support, we aim not just to help rebuild what was lost, but to strengthen resilience so that communities emerge stronger and better prepared for future shocks.”

About the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF)

The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) is an institution of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) established to provide financial and technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions, and sectors within the Community. The Fund supports projects and programmes that promote economic resilience, reduce disparities, and foster sustainable development across Member States. Through its targeted interventions, the CDF contributes to regional integration, building competitiveness, and fostering inclusive growth.

“The experience leaves us in no doubt about the urgency of addressing the existential threats posed by climate change and the need to redouble our efforts to build resilience and foster sustainable development across our Region,” Dr Barnett stated. “Strengthening our trade and economic performance is a critical part of this, and COTED must continue to play its important role in this regard.”

Key points:

• CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett has reaffirmed the Community’s solidarity with Jamaica and Haiti following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen resilience against climate change.

• Addressing the 61st Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), she emphasised the role of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy in driving sustainable growth amid climate shocks.

• Chair for the Meeting, Belize’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Hon. Marconi Leal, underscored COTED’s focus on advancing free movement, industrial policy, and regional recovery efforts.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett, today addressed the 61st Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), underscoring the Community’s solidarity with Member States severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa and reaffirming the Council’s critical role in advancing regional trade and economic resilience as the Region continues to experience climate-related shocks.

Dr Barnett expressed deep sympathy for the Governments and people of Jamaica and Haiti, noting the tragic loss of life and widespread devastation caused by the record-breaking storm. She commended the swift and coordinated response of regional institutions, including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), private sector groups, and regional associations. She highlighted the recent visit to Jamaica by four CARICOM Heads of Government as a tangible demonstration of regional solidarity and a catalyst for additional support.

“The experience leaves us in no doubt about the urgency of addressing the existential threats posed by climate change and the need to redouble our efforts to build resilience and foster sustainable development across our Region,” Dr Barnett stated. “Strengthening our trade and economic performance is a critical part of this, and COTED must continue to play its important role in this regard.”

Dr Barnett discusses COTED’s role in advancing regional trade and economic resilience below: 

The Meeting was chaired by the Honourable Marconi Leal, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Belize. Minister Leal emphasised the central role of COTED in addressing issues of trade and economic development at the heart of the Community’s agenda.

“We are meeting amidst complex global geopolitical and domestic challenges that are testing the resilience of individual Member States and the Community at large,” Minister Leal noted. “The recent passage of Hurricane Melissa provided another stark reminder of the Region’s extreme vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.”

Minister Leal highlighted the Council’s consideration of key CSME initiatives, including advancing the Free Movement of CARICOM nationals, implementation of the Community’s Industrial Policy and Strategy 2035 and support measures for the application of Article 164 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

The Chair provides additional insight into COTED’s role in advancing the CSME below:

The 61st Meeting of COTED reaffirms CARICOM’s collective commitment to resilience, sustainable development, and the strengthening of regional trade and economic integration.

Editor’s Notes:

The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) promotes trade and economic development of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and oversees the operations of the Single Market and Economy.

Helpful Links:

More on COTED:

CARICOM Single Market and Economy