We need to bring focused intent on making our partnerships inclusiveand for our people to connect or re-connect for partnerships to thrive. CARICOM remains committed to work side by side with the African Union to ensure that the partnerships are broad based and include specifically young people and women.

• Her Excellency Dame Cécile La Grenade, Governor-General of Grenada
• Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada;

• Other Excellencies Heads of State and Government and former;

• Hon. Joseph Andall, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development, and Other Representatives of the Government of Grenada;

• Other Honourable Ministers;

• Your Excellency Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson, African Union (AU);

• Professor Benedict O. Oramah, CGON, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank);

• Other Representatives of Afreximbank;

• Your Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat;

• Other Distinguished Delegates;

• Members of the Media.

• Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my distinct pleasure to address you at this Opening Ceremony of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF). This fourth edition of the Forum is a further demonstration of the collective commitment towards forging deeper trade, investment and economic cooperation as envisioned by our Leaders at the First CARICOM-Africa Summit in 2021.

We meet amidst heightened global geopolitical and economic tensions, supply chain disruptions, and the questioning by some of the value of the multilateral system. The theme of this year’s Forum, “Resilience and Transformation: Enhancing Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty”,therefore guides us to recognise the effect of these challenges on our work to deepen the relationship between our Regions.

Last month, I had the honour to participate in the 32^nd Annual Meetings of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Abuja, Nigeria. The theme of that meeting was “Progressive Unity in a Fractured World: Building a Global African Coalition for Development”. At that Meeting, the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) and Afreximbank signed a Mandate Letter to commence work to design and launch a Green, Resilient and Sustainable Facility (GRSF). I emphasised the need for this type of global partnership to develop mechanisms that foster inclusive growth, sustainable development, and economic and climate resilience. Here, today, I re-emphasise this approach of building partnerships here.

The AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2025 (ACTIF2025) is also taking place as we prepare for the second CARICOM-Africa Summit, scheduled for 7 September 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Summit will be an opportunity to deepen our partnership through high-level political engagement on advancing inter-regional trade and investment, strengthening South-South Cooperation, and operationalising the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year between the CARICOM Secretariat and the African Union Commission on “Upscaling Engagement and Linkages with People of African Descent”.

We need to bring focused intent on making our partnerships inclusive and for our people to connect or re-connect for partnerships to thrive. CARICOM remains committed to work side by side with the African Union to ensure that the partnerships are broad based and include specifically young people and women.

Our collaboration extends to advocating for reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade and chattel slavery. During the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, our joint efforts are vital to ensuring global recognition and action on this historical imperative. In this context, the designation of the African Diaspora, of which the Caribbean is a part, as the Sixth Region of the African Union provides an appropriate context to act in concert towards our collective advancement.

This Forum has been nurturing investments and bilateral cooperation in many priority areas for both Regions, such as the development of transportation links critical for trade, tourism and cultural exchanges.  Another priority area is technology transfer, a key example being the development of a Caribbean Payment and Settlement System based on the successful Pan-African Payment and Settlement System This mechanism will make it easier for large and small enterprises in both markets to conduct business efficiently. There are many other opportunities still to be addressed, some of which are being explored.

The Forum is becoming a foundation on which we can and will strengthen trade and investment cooperation, and engagements in priority areas for both the Caribbean region and the African continent, moving from policy discussions to action.  We know we have common legacy challenges that persist in the current global distribution systems and logistics. Our external trade far exceeds our intra-regional trade. Our similar efforts at regional integration, the development of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), seek to address this.

We must also decisively open the door to greater trade between our Regions. CARICOM trade with the Continent must grow beyond the current levels of less than three per cent (3%) of our overall trade, particularly with the uncertainty that currently looms over trade with traditional partners.

CARICOM is committed to deepening its collaboration with the Afreximbank in key areas of common interest. To ensure consistent and collaborative outcomes, steps are being taken to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding between CARICOM and Afreximbank, so that together we can drive the partnership in particular areas such as trade, logistics and connectivity to increase economic, financial and trade linkages, while bringing our two Regions together in mutually reinforcing ways.

Trade and development financing has a critical role to play in the pursuit of trade and investment opportunities, and the realisation of our common development goals. CARICOM therefore welcomes and values the demonstrated commitment of the Afreximbank to partner in this critical endeavour. I was delighted to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Bridgetown, Barbados, in March this year, a demonstration of the Bank’s long-term commitment to the Region.

I must take a moment to express the Community’s thanks to Outgoing President and Chairman of the Afreximbank, our good friend Professor Benedict Oramah. Professor Oramah has been a driving force behind our partnership and we are particularly grateful for the support of the Afreximbank towards a possible Caribbean Exim Bank. We welcome his successor, Dr. George Elombi, and look forward to working with him to carry forward the momentum we have developed together.

The 2024 edition of ACTIF, held under the auspices of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Honourable Philip Davis, was a resounding success. I am confident that this edition, hosted by Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, will build on those achievements and catalyse strategic partnerships between the business communities in Africa and the CARICOM Region.

We have a lot of work to do together.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

*Photo courtesy: Office of the Prime Minister, Grenada

Programme Manager for Health Sector Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Tamara Bobb, reminds us that hepatitis is a silent yet deadly disease impacting millions worldwide.

“Viral hepatitis remains a leading cause of liver cancer and related deaths worldwide, particularly due to chronic Hepatitis B and C infections. However, the truth is that it can be prevented through vaccination, treated with effective antivirals, and, in the case of Hepatitis C, often cured completely,” she said.

This year’s campaign highlights five key facts the public should know:

1⃣    Hepatitis is a silent threat—but we can stop it together. Globally, 3,500 lives are lost daily from B and C strains of hepatitis, which can cause severe liver damage and cancer. Most people are unaware that they are infected. Testing and awareness can save lives.

2⃣     A simple test can save your life. Even without symptoms, hepatitis can be present. Testing is quick and crucial for early treatment. If you’ve had surgery, tattoos, or were born before the 1990s, ask your doctor about screening.

3⃣     Vaccination starts protection early. Newborns can be exposed during birth. The Hepatitis B vaccine, especially when given within 24 hours of birth, offers lifelong protection. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to verify the vaccination status of their children.

4⃣     Stigma is still a barrier; let’s break it down. Misconceptions and blame prevent many from seeking care. Communities are encouraged to challenge myths and spread accurate, compassionate information.

5⃣ Everyone has a role to play. In the workplace, everyone can help to end hepatitis. Promote healthy workplace practices, join health screenings, and share information with friends and colleagues.

For more information, please consult your health provider or visit the WHO’s official Hepatitis page: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hepatitis-day

On Friday, 25 July, the Indian High Commission in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat convened a high-level seminar on space technology in Georgetown, Guyana. The event brought together representatives from CARICOM Member States, the CARICOM Secretariat, regional institutions, and the diplomatic community, both in person and online.

Speaking at the opening of the seminar, Dr. Wendell Samuel, Senior Economic Advisor and Acting Assistant Secretary-General of the Directorate of Innovation, Integration and Development, noted that the event marked a key milestone in the operationalisation of the seven-pillar cooperation framework outlined by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi.

These pillars form the acronym CARICOM: Capacity Building, Agriculture and Food Security, Renewable Energy and Climate Change, Innovation and Technology, Cricket and Culture, Ocean Economy and Maritime Security, and Medicine and Healthcare.

Although the session focused primarily on Innovation and Technology, Dr. Samuel noted that the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) wide-ranging applications intersect with several other priority areas for the Caribbean, including agriculture, climate resilience, renewable energy, and ocean governance.

Please see his full presentation below:

H.E. The Indian High Commissioner to Guyana.
Members of the Team from ISRO
Representatives of Member States,
Representatives of Regional Institutions,
Distinguish Participants (in person and online),
Colleagues all…

Good morning!

I would like to welcome you warmly to this seminar on space technology facilitated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

It represents one more concrete step in the implementation of the programme of activities identified under the Bilateral Agreement between The Republic of India and CARICOM during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Georgetown in November 2024. As many of you would recall, in a very thought-provoking and insightful speech, Prime Minister Modi laid out seven Key pillars of India-CARICOM cooperation that spelt out the acronym of CARICOM.

Just as a reminder, those 7 pillars were:

C: Capacity Building – Particularly in information technology to enhance digital skills in the Region
A: Agriculture and Food Security – India has developed specialised technology for small scale agriculture and is willing to share these with CARICOM
R: Renewable Energy and Climate Change – Assisting with the transition to renewable energy and fighting climate change
I: Innovation and Technology – India has revolutionised the way that technology is used to serve people. We will see some of these applications today
C: Cricket and Culture – This one is self-explanatory. It’s a good thing that it is self-explanatory because the less said about cricket these days the better.
O: Ocean Economy and Maritime Security – Harnessing the ocean and marine resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
M: Medicine and Healthcare – India’s is well known for its healthcare system and pharmaceutical industry.

We all recall, with gratitude, the major contribution that the Republic of India made to containing the spread COVID-19 in the region.

Today’s presentation, nominally, falls under Innovation and technology. But looking at the range of activities undertaken by the ISRO, the activities could fit under a number of these pillars including Agriculture and food security; Renewable energy and climate change; Ocean economy and Maritime security, to name a few.

So, let’s look a little closer:

Agriculture and food security

The Region is realising steady progress achieving greater food and nutrition security. The Caribbean Community has made it a priority to achieve the target of reducing food imports by 25 percent by 2025.

The regional food and nutrition security goals are focused on enhancing food security, increasing the sustainability of our food systems, and promoting resilience across our region. We know that these ambitious goals cannot be achieved without creativity, innovation, and significant investment by the public sector, private sector, and international partners.

The initiative has been recently extended to 2030 and is now referred to as 25 by 2025 +5. The extension allows us, inter alia, to build on the regional gains and goodwill which have been achieved so far, expanding the stakeholder base and participation in the initiative; greater involvement and investment from more of the regional private sector; further improvement in human capacity among farmers and the ministries of agriculture; and the complete removal of barriers to regional trade in agricultural products.

The increasing frequency and severity of weather-related events, makes the role of agriculture insurance critical in safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and ensuring food and nutrition security. In addition, agricultural insurance offers the Region a shield against the unpredictable and devastating impacts of climate change on agriculture.

The tools offered by the ISRO for agriculture and crop monitoring would help achieve the 25 by 2025 goals. Similarly, the tools deployed under disaster management could help improve early warning systems and improve the speed and accuracy of the estimation of losses to support the introduction of more effective insurance products.

Renewable Energy and Climate Change

As Small Island Developing States, the effects of Climate Change looms as an existential threat to lives and livelihoods in these economies. During the past ten years the Caribbean has been affected by 40 tropical storms, of which 12 reached hurricane strength and 8 were classified as major hurricanes. They resulted in extensive flooding, landslides, damage to infrastructure and housing, dislocation, and loss of lives and property.

Six Caribbean States are ranked in the top ten of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. CARICOM Member States are all ranked in the 50 most affected countries, costing the region an average of 2% of GDP every year. 2025 is expected to be an active or even highly active hurricane season with 19 to 25 storms expected to develop, of which 7 to 11 are expected to become hurricanes and as many as 6 to be classified as intense hurricanes. The Region is taking measures to enhance its resilience to these more extreme events. Building codes are being revised and emergency centres and shelters are being retrofitted to these higher standards.

Early warning systems are being strengthened. However, critical infrastructure such as hospitals, utilities, roads, and bridges remains vulnerable to these extreme events.

Earlier on this year, there was great uncertainty about whether satellite data to monitor the progress of hurricanes as they come off the African coast would be available for this Hurricane Season. As the US Administration sought to determine the role of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the prospect of a hurricane season without early warning seemed real. While the data continues to flow, the uncertainty generated by the knowledge that, what was normally taken for granted, could be shut off at the drop of a hat, gives cause for concern. In these circumstances, building redundancy is not only prudent but an absolute requirement.

The Caribbean produces most of its electricity through the combustion of fossil fuels. However, the Region is blessed with considerable renewable energy resources such as biomass, geothermal, hydro, ocean thermal, and wind. The Region’s use of renewable energy has more than doubled in the past 10 years. Still, renewable energy only accounts for about [12] percent of the energy mix.
It is therefore incumbent that the Region accelerates the transition to renewable energy for both economic and environmental reasons.

The devastation to energy infrastructure occasioned by the extreme events in the past ten years, provides an opportunity to accelerate this transition by building back better and smarter. This could provide the opportunity for public private partnerships in energy supply and distribution systems. In addition, it could facilitate demand side management by making water transmission and buildings greener and more energy efficient.

The disaster management and climate and weather applications of the ISRO would be useful in disaster risk reduction and identifying locations for renewable energy using wind and ocean resources.

Ocean Economy and Maritime Security

For CARICOM, the ocean is synonymous with our identity, our culture, and our survival. The ocean represents our most abundant resource making us large ocean states as opposed to small island states. It is our historical highway and our connection, our food basket, our playground, and, our life source. Our oceans supply 50% of the oxygen we breathe and is also a significant carbon sink in the fight against climate change. They sustain a rich biodiversity that is a natural heritage of the Caribbean Region.

The World Bank estimates the value of CARICOM’s Ocean Economy at about US$400 billion. This figure represents a vast, untapped potential to catalyze economic growth, create vital jobs, and foster social prosperity for all our citizens. Coastal tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture are key pillars for Caribbean economies. Tourism, for example, accounts for an estimated 50% of GDP in the Eastern Caribbean. The fisheries sector provides gainful employment for over 120,000 fishermen and supports thousands more indirectly. The sector remains a vital part of regional food and nutrition security. Its productivity and sustainability could be enhanced by innovation and technology.

Still, this invaluable resource is under unprecedented pressure. Oceans in our region face a complex array of challenges. Rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and increasingly intense hurricanes pose direct, existential risks to our coastal communities and ecosystems, as well as critical infrastructure that underpin our economies. The persistent influx of sargassum seaweed, for instance, has inflicted major economic damage on our vital tourism and fishing sectors. In addition, climate change, pollution, and overfishing are relentlessly degrading our marine ecosystems.

Increasingly, criminal activities on the open seas threaten the ability of Member States to control and benefit for the resources that abound in the Ocean. Organised international criminal activity diverts these benefits from their rightful owners to international criminal enterprises through illegal fishing and other activities with scant regard for conservation and sustainability.

The coastal and marine applications of the ISRO can help with coral reef monitoring and identification of potential fishing zones. Potential fishing zones forecasting will be a valuable tool to locate where migratory species are likely to be. The latter would be good news for the Barbadian fishermen to help predict whether flying fish are likely to be nearer to Barbados or Tobago during next flying fish season.

Colleagues, the possibilities for utilizing the applications of the ISRO in CARICOM are not endless, but as you might have gleaned from the foregoing, they are quite significant. So let me end here and hand over to the Team from the ISRO to provide more detail on these applications and their potential uses in CARICOM. I look forward to your active participation in the ensuing discussion. Hopefully, we can also identify some concrete initiatives that can be implemented presently.

Thank you for your attention.

According to President Ali “Guyana is steadfast in its support of regional integration…we are proud of the work of the Caribbean Community”. This new, modern residence “not only meets the standards expected of such a facility, but it also eases the commute and supports the effective functioning of the office of the Secretary-General…[the residence] would also bring the Secretary-General closer to the seat of the Secretariat itself”, the President said.

Directing his remarks to the Secretary-General, President Ali thanked her for her continued service. “I wish you every success as you carry out your duties from your new residence. May the residence we hand over today, serve not only as a place or rest, but as a quiet symbol of our shared journey and of the future we are building together”.

The CARICOM Secretary-General, graciously receiving the keys to the official residence, expressed her appreciation to the Government of Guyana. She said, “I am happy that this part of the commitment of the Government of Guyana has come to fruition. It really is a pleasant place to live and my family and I look forward to living here. I know my successors will enjoy living here also.” Dr Barnett also excitedly informed those in attendance that flowers and fruit trees will be planted on the property to “represent each of the countries of the Caribbean Community”.

Following the remarks, the CARICOM Flag was hoisted for the first time at the residence and President Ali signed the visitor’s book to mark the occasion.

Colgrain House in Georgetown, purchased by the Government of Guyana in 1975  accommodated the first six CARICOM secretaries-general with the incumbent Dr. Barnett and her predecessor, Ambassador La Rocque, being accommodated in rental properties until the completion of the construction of the new residence.

###

The Bureau of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), comprising Incumbent Chair Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica; Outgoing Chair, Hon. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; and Incoming Chair, Dr. the Hon. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, convened virtually on 21 July 2025, to deliberate on several issues, including West Indies Cricket. The Chair of the Prime Ministerial Sub Committee (PMSC) on Cricket, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, participated in the Bureau Meeting and led the discussion on this agenda item. The Bureau requested the PMSC on Cricket to release this statement.

The PMSC on Cricket is conscious of the economic, emotional, developmental and cultural importance of cricket to the people of the Caribbean Community.  Cricket has, for decades, been a platform through which our small nations have collectively stood tall on the world stage.  West Indies Cricket is very much a “public good”.

The PMSC is deeply concerned, as has also been widely expressed by various sectors of the Community, about all aspects of the current state of the game in the Region, particularly in its long form.  The concerns extend from youth development and talent retention to governance arrangements and long-term strategy.

The PMSC believes that the Team’s recent performance is a moment of reckoning for this cherished Caribbean institution.  Every cricket match in which our West Indies Team competes, resonates far beyond the boundary.

We reaffirm our unwavering interest in strengthening the governance and planning of the future of West Indies Cricket.  Once again, we urge Cricket West Indies (CWI) to undertake a thorough and transparent review of its governance, leadership, management, economic models and development frameworks, underpinning the sport.

Multiple reports on West Indies Cricket have been prepared over the years, including:

1. The Patterson Report on the Governance Committee on West Indies Cricket of 2007;
2. The V. Eudine Barriteau Report of the Review Panel on the Governance of Cricket of 2015; and
3. The Wehby Report on Governance Reform of Cricket West Indies of 2020.

We are troubled by the lack of real progress on the implementation of these recommendations.  We urge CWI, yet again, to take the concrete actions outlined in these Reports.

The PMSC on Cricket is establishing a special Committee of diverse stakeholders, including our Cricket Legends, the private sector and academia. We will, with this Committee, review the multiple high-level Reports on West Indies Cricket, synthesise the various recommendations that they contain and propose an Action Plan. Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the National Cricket Associations will be invited to be a part of the consultation and review process.

CARICOM remains committed to engaging with CWI and the regional public to support bold, strategic reforms that will be designed to rebuild public confidence and restore West Indies cricket to the pinnacle of global cricket excellence in all formats of the game.

23 July 2025

CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett delivered remarks at the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, today, in Georgetown, Guyana. According to the Secretary-General,

“We have been making steady progress driven by some key partnerships, but attention is needed to address enforcement and governance. It is recognised that capacity building and funding for environmental protection and regulation agencies remain priorities, as well as the need for strengthened mechanisms to enhance community engagement and local stewardship. And perhaps most importantly, we must do more to align biodiversity management and conservation with national development plans.”

See her full remarks below:

• Your Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana;

• Excellencies Heads of State and Government;

• Founding Members of the Global Biodiversity Alliance;

• Representatives of Regional and International Organisations;

• Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

• Other Distinguished Delegates.

I am pleased to join you for this plenary session of the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, convened in one of the Region’s most biodiverse states.

I commend His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and our host, for this initiative which has brought together leaders, scientists, indigenous voices, and innovators in a positive move to consolidate global efforts toward biodiversity protection.

Biodiversity underpins the health of ecosystems, sustains livelihoods, and supports cultural traditions within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Our Community is a hotspot of biodiversity, rich with endemic species, coral reefs, mangroves, rainforests, wetlands and freshwater systems. CARICOM’s biodiversity isn’t just ecologically rich – it is economically vital as our rich ecosystems support food security, tourism, and coastal protection, while also offering vital services such as storm buffering and climate regulation. Forests in countries like Guyana, Belize, and Suriname store significant carbon, presenting opportunities for climate finance.

Less well-documented and understood is CARICOM’s rich genetic diversity. This holds significant potential for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biotechnology. In addition, the traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities which possesses valuable knowledge about species and ecosystems can be integrated into sustainable development and protected under intellectual property frameworks. This is an area that holds much potential, and which can benefit from increased technical and scientific cooperation, as well as strategic partnerships that can emerge under the Global Biodiversity Alliance.

CARICOM has played an important role in the multilateral environment and development agenda in advocating to safeguard global natural resources through the holding of significant conferences, including the first Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity in The Bahamas. CARICOM has also piloted resolutions on the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations, and anchored the negotiations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.

Our biological resources, however, face a number of threats,  including climate change, as this Region is particularly vulnerable due to our small landmasses, low elevation, and dependence on climate-sensitive sectors.  Sea level rise threatens coastal habitats – mangroves, seagrass beds and turtle nesting sites, and resultant saltwater intrusion affects freshwater ecosystems. Warmer ocean temperatures trigger bleaching and mass die-offs in coral reefs, and as hurricanes and tropical storms become more frequent and destructive, they cause widespread habitat destruction, pollution, and displacement of species.

Man-made impacts present major threats to CARICOM’s biodiversity, and overexploitation of resources – such as through overfishing, illegal logging, and unregulated water use – alter ecosystems and threaten species.

As CARICOM seeks to balance economic growth and development with ecological sustainability, it has been actively responding to biodiversity loss through a mix of policy development, international collaboration, and regional initiatives. We have recognised that we must be proactive to flip the switch from vulnerability to resilience. Some of our key policy responses include:

• The articulation of the Caribbean Community Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework, which is an umbrella policy to guide sustainable management of environment and natural resources across Member States.

• The Draft CARICOM Biodiversity Strategy, which is being aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to promote harmonised conservation efforts and sustainable use of biodiversity resources.

• Vision 25 by 2025, now 25 by 2025 +5, the regional plan to reduce CARICOM’s food import bill by boosting local agriculture, which integrates biodiversity into food security and production systems.

• Proactive engagement in International Agreements and Treaties, as evidenced by the Region’s strong presence at the 16^th Conference of Parties on Biological Diversity and our leading role in negotiating this treaty on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. 

• Partnerships, for example, with the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the United Nations Environment Programme, to build Member States’ capacity to implement the biodiversity cluster of multilateral environmental agreements.

We have been making steady progress driven by some key partnerships, but attention is needed to address enforcement and governance. It is recognised that capacity building and funding for environmental protection and regulation agencies remain priorities, as well as the need for strengthened mechanisms to enhance community engagement and local stewardship. And perhaps most importantly, we must do more to align biodiversity management and conservation with national development plans.

This Summit is therefore well-poised to allow for attention on how to encourage constructive engagements on partnerships in technical and scientific cooperation, and financing for biodiversity. It will also allow for discussions between commercial users of biodiversity with provider countries on areas, including access to financing and putting biodiversity back on the path to recovery.

It is my hope that the collective will demonstrated by your presence leads to results in positive outcomes that will safeguard biodiversity resources for current and future generations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you.

“The [PAHO-CARICOM Joint Sub-regional Cooperation Strategy (JSCS) 2025-2029] is a continuation of a process. CARICOM has prioritised health outcomes for a long time, and this long-standing commitment of CARICOM will continue.”

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown): The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on Tuesday, signed a Joint Subregional Cooperation Strategy (JSCS) aimed at enhancing regional public health response and resilience through coordinated technical collaboration. The agreement was formalised by CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnettand PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa.

This joint strategy establishes a five-year plan for concerted action to address common regional health issues, uniting CARICOM, PAHO, subregional, and international partners to bolster the Caribbean’s health agenda. It focuses on five key strategic priorities to steer PAHO’s technical assistance in the Caribbean subregion. All fifteen (15) CARICOM Member States as well as six the (6) Associate Members will benefit from this strategy.

Dr Barnett, in her address, recogised PAHO’s continued collaboration, noting,

“The [PAHO-CARICOM Joint Sub-regional Cooperation Strategy (JSCS) 2025-2029] is a continuation of a process. CARICOM has prioritised health outcomes for a long time, and this long-standing commitment of CARICOM will continue.”

The Secretary General expressed that this landmark moment in the partnership with PAHO, solidifies the ongoing support for the development and implementation of public health policies across the Region and ensures good health investments for the People of the Community.

Dr Barnett shares more of her perspective on the JSCS below.

“This signing marks a milestone in a long-standing partnership rooted in trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the health and well-being of the peoples of the Caribbean,” said Dr Barbosa, emphasising that “the Caribbean faces unique and interconnected public health challenges: from the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases, to the effects of climate change, to the urgency of digital transformation and the need for resilient health systems. These challenges do not stop at borders, and neither can our solutions.”

The PAHO Director provides more insight on the organisation’s long-standing partnership with CARICOM below.

Guyana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, echoed the significance of the Joint Strategy, stating,

“This strategy affirms that health is not just a service, it is a right. In the Caribbean, that right must not be determined by geography, income, or age.”

Minister Anthony shares more of his perspective on the JSCS below.

Helpful Links:

Noncommunicable Diseases | Data/Statistics

https://www.paho.org/en/topics/noncommunicable-diseases

Major Storm on the Horizon: NCDs and mental health conditions to cost South America trillions by 2050

https://www.paho.org/en/news/15-7-2025-major-storm-horizon-ncds-and-mental-health-conditions-cost-south-america-trillions

This powerful partnership sets the course for five years of unified action to tackle regional health challenges, bringing together CARICOM, PAHO, and partners near and far to strengthen the Caribbean’s health agenda.

The JSCS will also address the Region’s common health challenges in a coordinated and integrated manner.

For CARICOM, the ocean is not merely a geographical feature, it goes to the essence of our identity, our culture and our survival. It is our historical highway and our connection, our pantry, our playground, and our provider. Our oceans supply 50% of the oxygen we breathe and are also a significant carbon sink in the climate fight.  They sustain a rich biodiversity that is intrinsic to our natural heritage.

I am pleased to join you at this Regional Consultation on the Draft CARICOM Ocean Governance Policy. Your presence today, representing diverse interests and expertise from across our Community, underscores the collective commitment we share towards the sustainable future of our vital resource, the ocean.

We are meeting in difficult times.  Our small, vulnerable economies are largely still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across our Region. Rising food and other living costs, a volatile international trade policy landscape and persistent supply chain disruptions, are increasing economic uncertainties and pushing many of our citizens towards food insecurity. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat partnered with the World Food Programme in 2024 to update the food security and livelihoods surveys, and the results showed a 78% in food insecurity among Caribbean citizens compared to pre-COVID data.

The increasing impact of climate change makes all these challenges worse. It imposes with increasing frequency and ferocity, natural disasters of every shape and size that erode development gains. While science is indicating that the outlook for Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States (SIDS) is becoming even more grim, in the global diplomatic arena, the ambition for transformative change to effectively address climate change is at an all-time low. Despite this, or because of this, climate resilience, diplomacy and fair access to finance have become a top priority for our leaders.

This bleak reality underscores the importance of this Consultation and, more importantly, the need for regional cooperation. These challenges for our Region have potential solutions in our surrounding Caribbean Sea and adjacent Atlantic Ocean.

CARICOM collectively encompasses approximately 1.8 million square kilometers of maritime space, an average 4 to 1 ratio compared to land territory. This ratio is much higher for the smaller islands among us.

For CARICOM, the ocean is not merely a geographical feature, it goes to the essence of our identity, our culture and our survival. It is our historical highway and our connection, our pantry, our playground, and our provider. Our oceans supply 50% of the oxygen we breathe and are also a significant carbon sink in the climate fight.  They sustain a rich biodiversity that is intrinsic to our natural heritage.

Yet, this invaluable resource is under unprecedented pressure. As we have collectively acknowledged in numerous forums, including the recent Forty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, our Region faces rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and increasingly intense hurricanes, all of which pose direct, existential risks to our coastal communities and ecosystems, as well as to the critical infrastructure that underpin our economies. The persistent influx of sargassum seaweed, for instance, has inflicted major economic damage on our vital tourism and fishing sectors.  In addition to climate change, pollution and overfishing are relentlessly degrading our marine ecosystems.

In the face of these formidable challenges, our oceans still hold immense promise as a powerful engine for realising the objectives of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. The “blue economy” framework represents a paradigm shift – a move beyond traditional sectors to embrace a sustainable and integrated approach to ocean resource management.

The World Bank places as value of approximately US$407 billion on CARICOM’s ocean economy. This is not just a number. It represents a vast, untapped potential to catalyse economic growth, create jobs and foster prosperity for our citizens. Our long-standing economic pillars of coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture remain foundational. Tourism, for example, accounts for an estimated 50% of the Eastern Caribbean’s gross domestic product (GDP). Our fisheries sector provides direct employment for over 120,000 fishers and supports thousands more indirectly. It is essentially a cornerstone of regional food security.  We must make these pillars more productive and sustainable.

But the blue economy is expanding. We are actively cultivating emerging industries, such as:

• Maritime transport, which is crucial, and must be reliable and efficient, in order to improve the movement of goods and people;

• Marine multitrophic aquaculture as a pathway to sustainable, ecosystem-based seafood production;

• Marine renewable energy to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels; and

• Marine biotechnology applications, which are projected to double to a 13-billion-dollar industry.  The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and Nagoya Protocols offer critical pathway to these industries.

These sectors are pivotal for diversifying our economic base and reducing vulnerability to global shocks. This is not merely about economic statistics, it is about tangibly securing a prosperous future and a legacy of sustainability for all spheres of our society.  The blue economy provides crucial income streams, particularly in our coastal communities, contributing directly to poverty reduction and enhanced livelihoods. It is also deeply intertwined with our cultural heritage.

Ladies and Gentlemen, to truly harness ocean wealth sustainably, we must prioritise two fundamental support pillars: Ocean Literacy and Capacity Building.

Ocean Literacy is critical for effective ocean management and sustainable blue economic growth. It goes beyond merely understanding facts about the ocean, it encompasses communication and decision-making. It means instilling in our citizens, from schoolchildren to policymakers, a profound understanding of the mutual influence between humans and the ocean. It means embracing the complex inter-connectedness of systems from ridge to reef, and how we can prosper in these systems. But most importantly, we cannot effectively and strategically plan industries and economies without a deep understanding of the resources.

This brings me to the equally vital need for Capacity Building. Developing our ocean economies sustainably requires a broad interconnected research agenda, knowledge management, a skilled workforce, robust institutional frameworks, and access to appropriate technologies and financing. This will require amongst other things:

• Investing in programs to equip our people with the skills needed for emerging blue economy sectors.

• Strengthening our scientific capabilities to better understand our ocean resources, monitor their health and inform evidence-based policy.

• Fostering cross-sector collaboration among governments, academia, the private sector, and local communities. This includes, supporting locally relevant outreach and citizen science initiatives.

• Continuing to advocate for innovative financing mechanisms, the most recent of which was Barbados’ “Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation” initiative, which restructured USD 150 million of debt to unlock USD 50 million in new funding for marine conservation.

It is also imperative for capacity building to include and prioritise improved domain awareness, and territorial integrity in our maritime zones.  The Ocean Policy will, therefore, synergise with the Maritime Security Policy to promote capacity building for both environmental monitoring and maritime surveillance.   

In doing this work, we must recognise the support of the Government of the United Kingdom, as we formulate a CARICOM Ocean Policy.  This builds on an active partnership, which includes programming of the Commonwealth Blue Charter Implementation and the Sustainable Ocean Economies Programme, that have supported national blue economy scoping in several CARICOM Member States. We are very appreciative of your consistent and dependable support.  

I hope that the next two days of consultation will be inclusive and robust, as you identify key challenges, brainstorm innovative solutions, and ultimately establish a prioritised action plan and governance arrangements for our shared Ocean Policy, so that we are able to collectively manage our ocean resources wisely and sustainably.

I thank you.

We are at a pivotal moment in global digital history. Technologies such as AI, quantum computing, 5G, IoT, and blockchain are no longer futuristic—they are shaping our present.

The Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and lead head with responsibility for Science and Technology (including Information and Communications), is advocating for a shared partnership between governments and the private sector towards the realisation of the CARICOM Single ICT Space.

He underscored this in his keynote address at the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO) 40th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition.

“Governments cannot do this alone. The private sector must be a full and active partner—not just in service delivery, but in shaping policy, co-investing in infrastructure, and ensuring inclusion,” stated the Prime Minister.

Please read his keynote address below:

Good morning

It’s a great pleasure to join you at this milestone 40^th Annual CANTO Conference and Trade Exhibition. Being here in The Bahamas — a country that has not only helped shape the foundation of CANTO but continues to lead by example in regional ICT advancement — feels both timely and fitting. This gathering isn’t just a celebration of four decades of collaboration; it’s a moment to take stock of how far we’ve come and to ask bold questions about where we go next. I begin by extending heartfelt thanks to the Government and People of The Bahamas for their warm hospitality and unwavering commitment to regional ICT development.

CANTO @ 40: A Legacy Worth Celebrating

This 40th anniversary is not just a celebration of longevity—it is a testament to CANTO’s enduring impact, influence, and ambition. From its modest beginnings in 1985 with just eight members, CANTO has grown into a formidable regional force, now uniting over 120 members across 32 countries. It stands as the Caribbean’s premier platform for ICT cooperation, technical exchange, and public-private partnership.

CANTO’s evolution mirrors the digital transformation of our region—from landlines to fiber optics, from analog to digital, from isolated systems to integrated cloud infrastructure. It has been a constant enabler of progress, guiding us through the complexities of modernization and innovation.

Grenada’s Commitment: National Vision, Regional Responsibility

As Prime Minister of Grenada and the CARICOM lead Head of Government for ICT, I carry both the responsibility and the passion to ensure that digital transformation in our region is accelerated, inclusive, and human-centred.

In Grenada, we are advancing this transformation through five strategic pillars:

1. Digital Government – Reimagining public service delivery through e-Government platforms that enhance transparency, reduce bureaucracy, and improve efficiency.
2. Digital Infrastructure – Investing in resilient, future-ready systems, including national broadband and satellite connectivity, especially for disaster response.
3. Digital Identity – Rolling out secure national e-ID systems to enable seamless access to services and prevent fraud.
4. Digital Economy – Empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses with digital tools, skills, and funding to scale.
5. Digital Inclusion and Skills – Ensuring every citizen, regardless of age or location, has access to devices, connectivity, and digital literacy.

CARICOM’s Unified Vision: The Single ICT Space

Grenada’s efforts are part of a broader regional ambition: the creation of a CARICOM Single ICT Space—a unified digital ecosystem enabling seamless movement of people, services, and data across borders.

This vision addresses our fragmented markets and infrastructural gaps by:

• Harmonizing spectrum and regulatory frameworks,
• Enabling cross-border digital identity recognition,
• Expanding roaming-free mobile environments,
• And developing shared approaches to cybersecurity, AI, and cloud governance.

Why This Agenda Matters: Global Trends, Local Urgency

We are at a pivotal moment in global digital history. Technologies such as AI, quantum computing, 5G, IoT, and blockchain are no longer futuristic—they are shaping our present.

The question is not whether we will participate, but how—and on whose terms.

Key priorities we must tackle together include:

• Satellite Connectivity – Crucial for small islands and disaster-prone areas to ensure digital continuity.
• Federated Cloud Infrastructure – Building regional cloud capabilities to store data securely and in compliance with our laws.
• Fraud Prevention & Digital ID – Embedding trust architecture into our digital systems from the outset.
• Open RAN and 5G – Leveraging cost-effective, vendor-neutral paths to 5G deployment.
• IoT, Smart Cities, and Fintech – Unlocking their potential through interoperability and regulatory agility.
• AI and Cybersecurity – Ensuring that innovation is matched with robust digital safety frameworks.

The Role of CANTO: Enabling, Bridging, Mobilizing

CANTO is more than a conference—it is a Caribbean institution. It bridges policy and innovation, government strategy and private sector action.

Through CANTO, we have:

• Shared best practices in universal service funding,
• Explored future-proof regulatory models,
• Fostered dialogue on OTTs, fair contribution, and infrastructure sharing,
• And most importantly, built trust across diverse economies with shared aspirations.

I urge CANTO to deepen its role in:

• Policy Shaping – Amplifying the Caribbean voice in global ICT forums,
• Capacity Building – Strengthening the skills of our regulators and engineers,
• Investment Brokering – Connecting infrastructure needs with global capital,
• Talent Development – Cultivating a digitally fluent Caribbean workforce.

Public-Private Synergy: A Shared Responsibility

Governments cannot do this alone. The private sector must be a full and active partner—not just in service delivery, but in shaping policy, co-investing in infrastructure, and ensuring inclusion.

To our telecom providers: your success is tied to the prosperity of the societies you serve. You are not just providers—you are partners in our digital future.

Let us commit to:

• Expanding affordable access in underserved areas,
• Sharing infrastructure to reduce duplication,
• Supporting national initiatives like digital ID and cybersecurity,
• And investing in the education and upskilling of our youth.

This is not a dream. It is a vision within reach—if we act boldly, collaboratively, and with urgency.

A Caribbean Without Digital Borders: Our 2030 Vision

Let us imagine, for a moment, the Caribbean in 2030:

• A child in Barbuda logs into school on a satellite-linked tablet after a hurricane, missing no lessons.
• A nurse in Saint Vincent securely accesses a Grenadian patient’s health records for regional telemedicine.
• A Dominican fintech startup expands to Trinidad and Jamaica through a common digital regulatory framework.
• A digital nomad living in Carriacou contributes to the global AI industry, powered by local gigabit internet.
• Our people, services, and ideas move seamlessly—united by a digital fabric that mirrors our shared history and destiny.

That is the unified and sustainable Gigabit Society we are building.

In closing, let us honour CANTO’s 40-year legacy by building a future that is unified, sustainable, and digitally empowered. We are not simply digitizing our societies—we are shaping the Caribbean’s place in the world.

Let us be bold. Let us be collaborative. Let us be future-ready.

Let us build a Caribbean where every citizen has the access, tools, and confidence to participate fully and securely in the digital age. Let us remember: the next 40 will be even more decisive.

Thank you—and may CANTO continue to grow, lead, and let us move forward—together—towards a truly connected Caribbean.

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Watch video highlights from Prime Minister Mitchell’s keynote address here.