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.

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.

“The Population and Housing Census is a direct source of SDG data and a key input to many SDG indicators. It also provides the statistical frame on which numerous household surveys rely to track national and regional development progress.”

Mr. Brizan commended the European Union for its support under the 11th EDF, noting that several Member States including The Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, and St. Kitts and Nevis have already benefitted from in-country technical assistance in census data cleaning and analysis.

Mr. Junior Alexis of the Statistics Office, Grenada, underscored the importance of the initiative, noting that some Member States are in the final stages of their 2020 Round of Population and Housing Censuses and are engaged in analysis, interpretation, and dissemination.

With Member States facing varying levels of technical capacity in these areas, he said that the workshop addresses the challenges Statistical Offices may be experiencing.

“This,” he added, “is not only a technical priority, but also a developmental imperative that supports climate resilience planning, social policy, education, labour force strategies, agricultural development, and economic transformation.”

The workshop features two experts in statistics, Dr. Frank Eelens and Dr. Bart de Bruijn, who are renowned demographers and consultants in population and development of the IBF International Consulting Firm.

A resilient agri-food system remains critical for CARICOM as the Region continues to face increasing climate-related challenges. As part of its response, the CARICOM Secretariat, supported by the Government of New Zealand, has launched the CARICOM Boost: Women and Youth in Agriculture Project, a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening food security and empowering key stakeholders across Member States.

This strategic initiative is designed to enhance the capacity of women and youth in the agribusiness sector, while contributing to the Region’s goal of reducing its Food Import Bill by 25% by 2025.

Speaking about the programme, Shaun Baugh, Programme Manager for Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, stated:

“The overarching goal is to improve livelihoods and expand employment opportunities. So, we will engage 188 youth and women from the Region by teaching them agricultural best practices and management. Beneficiaries will participate in a series of capacity-building activities aimed at equipping them with skills in production and post-harvest management.”

He provides further insight below.

The project will be implemented in Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname, with direct support provided to selected participants through training, equipment, and infrastructure development.

Key deliverables of the Boost Project include construction of 47 shade houses to support controlled-environment agriculture; provision of 15 solar-powered cold storage units; distribution of post-harvest and storage crates to enhance produce handling and preservation.

Mr Baugh explains that Boost will transform how beneficiaries develop their agribusiness:

The capacity-building component of the initiative is being delivered in collaboration with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

“The CARICOM Secretariat remains steadfast in its mission to foster inclusive growth and food and nutrition security through targeted interventions that empower the next generation of agricultural leaders,” stated Mr Baugh.

He provides additional details on how Boost will contribute to reducing the Region’s Food Import Bill by 25% by 2025:

Helpful Links:

The OIF delegation was led by the Special Envoy of the OIF to Haiti, H.E. Domitien Ndayizeye, former President of Burundi. He was accompanied by Ambassador Emmanuel V. Adjovi, Regional Representative of the OIF to the Caribbean and Latin America; Mr. Cyril Ntone, Diplomatic Attaché; and Mr. Guillaume Kazirikanyl, Technical Assistant to the Special Envoy.

In preparation for its onward mission to Haiti, the OIF met virtually with the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group (EPG). This engagement was followed by an in-person meeting at the CARICOM Secretariat with Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, Ms. Elizabeth Solomon; the Ambassador of the French Republic to CARICOM, His Excellency Olivier Plançon; and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission in Guyana, Mr. Daniel Bood. Discussions focused on the OIF’s visit and ongoing efforts to support peace and security in Haiti.

The Workshop focused on exploring practical applications of AI within the Secretariat.

CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett, Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Armstrong Alexis, and members of the Executive Management Committee participated. The session was facilitated by a team of specialists from UNDP.

In his brief remarks, Dr Alexis expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that UNDP’s expertise will be pivotal in equipping the Secretariat to leverage AI effectively.

UNDP Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Ms Katy Thompson, commended the CARICOM Secretariat for selecting UNDP as a strategic partner in advancing digitalisation.

A self-paced course for CARICOM Secretariat staff is currently being finalised by the technical teams and will be launched in the coming weeks, with completion scheduled by 31 December 2025.

The initiative is grounded in an evidence-based approach. Accordingly, the course design draws on insights from a recently administered 2025 CARICOM Secretariat Baseline Survey on Artificial Intelligence, ensuring that the content is both relevant and responsive to staff needs.

View highlights from the workshop here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCAMVt  

The one-day visit took the form of a road trip from Montego Bay to White House, Westmoreland, the epicentre of Hurricane Melissa.

Regional Family in Action

The CARICOM Heads emphasised that their presence was not only symbolic but deeply personal: as a regional family, they too have endured similar disasters. They expressed confidence that the resilience and strength of the Jamaican people will once again allow the nation to rise stronger than before.

Tangible Support for Recovery

• Barbados pledged a field hospital, arriving tomorrow and additional garbage removal trucks
• Guyana committed engineering support from the Guyana Defence Force to assist with debris removal and rebuilding efforts, along with the provision of 200 roofs.
• Other Member States and Associate Members have also pledged support to the relief and recovery efforts.

These contributions reflect some of the steps being taken to accelerate recovery and restore hope to affected communities.

Words of Gratitude

Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed heartfelt appreciation for the solidarity shown by his CARICOM colleagues, sharing on Facebook:

“Jamaica is grateful for the solidarity being shown and for the reassurance that we do not stand alone. Through partnership, unity, and shared purpose, we will rebuild our communities and strengthen our nation’s ability to withstand future challenges.”

Coordinated Regional Support

The visit was supported by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and representatives from the Regional Security System (RSS). 

This tour was designed to deepen students’ understanding of solar energy by showcasing real-world applications of renewable technologies, energy-efficient systems, and innovative practices implemented at the Secretariat.

Through an informational video, guided demonstrations, and engaging discussions with teams from the Directorate of Economic Integration, Innovation and the Administrative Services, students gained valuable insights into how renewable energy supports climate resilience, reduces our carbon footprint, and advances the Region’s sustainable energy transition.

The CARICOM Secretariat extends appreciation to the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the participating institutions for their continued commitment to advancing energy education and empowering the next generation of Caribbean innovators.

For more information about CARICOM Energy Month 2025, visit https://caricom.org/caricom-energy-month-2025-upcoming…/