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

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

This capacity-building initiative under the National EPA Coordinator Attachment Programme will run from July 21-25 and is organised by the CARIFORUM Directorate within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat. Funded under the 11th European Development Fund Technical Cooperation Facility, it aims to enhance Member States’ capacity to effectively implement the EPA and leverage CARIFORUM’s trade relationship with the European Union.

During the week-long attachment, Mr. Wagner will learn more about the EPA and the operations of the EPA Implementation Unit through engagements with the specialists in Trade in Goods, Investment and Trade in Services and EPA Development Cooperation.

Since its inception in 2024, trade officials from St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Guyana and The Bahamas have participated in the National EPA Coordinator Attachment Programme. Through their attachment, it is hoped that EPA Coordinators will gain exposure to different EPA implementation structures, work plans, challenges, consultative processes, and practices, exchange information on national implementation actions and challenges and explore ways to address these challenges.

It is also anticipated that EPA Coordinators will identify methods to advance EPA implementation, build networks and connections for future collaboration and acquire new insights into problem-solving to enhance EPA implementation.

About The CARIFORUM-EU EPA:

The EPA between CARIFORUM States and the EU and its Member States was signed on October 15, 2008. It aims to liberalise trade between 15 CARIFORUM States and 27 EU countries on a reciprocal but asymmetrical basis.
This comprehensive trade and development agreement covers:

1. Market Access for Industrial and Agricultural products;
2. Services and Investment;
3. Trade-related issues such as competition policy, the environment, transparency in government procurement, innovation and intellectual property, social aspects, and personal data protection;
4. Development cooperation;
5. Legal and institutional issues.

Ambassador Sherman-Peter was a luminary in regional and international diplomacy, with a career spanning significant roles that profoundly impacted the Caribbean’s engagement on the global stage.

She served with distinction as CARICOM Permanent Observer to the United Nations from 2014 to 2023, a role she held with unwavering dedication and exceptional skill. She was instrumental in advancing the cause of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), ensuring their voices were heard and their interests advanced on the global stage.

The CARICOM Secretariat and the entire Community are deeply indebted to Ambassador Sherman-Peter for her invaluable contribution to regional integration and her steadfast representation of our shared values. Her passing is a significant loss to the Caribbean Community, and her legacy of service, dedication, and diplomatic excellence will continue to inspire.

We extend our sympathies to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.

Being held under the theme “Sowing Change, Harvesting Resilience: Transforming Our Caribbean Food Systems for 2025 and Beyond,” CWA 2025 will be a vital platform for sowing the seeds of change. It will promote the exchange of innovations in climate-smart agriculture, the sharing of lessons learned, and the forging of purposeful partnerships across the Region.

The stage is set for the 19th staging of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), which will take place from 29 September to 3 October in the twin-island Federation of St Kitts and Nevis.

A virtual launch of the Caribbean Community’s premier agricultural conference was held on Tuesday, 15 July. The event was anchored at the CARICOM Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana, and included participation from key regional and international partners in agricultural development.

Being held under the theme “Sowing Change, Harvesting Resilience: Transforming Our Caribbean Food Systems for 2025 and Beyond,” CWA 2025 will be a vital platform for sowing the seeds of change. It will promote the exchange of innovations in climate-smart agriculture, the sharing of lessons learned, and the forging of purposeful partnerships across the Region.

In his feature address at the launch, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources of St Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Samal Duggins, juxtaposed the challenges facing the region’s agriculture sector occasioned by extreme weather events, high shipping costs, and logistical hurdles with the resilience of farmers, officials, scientists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.

“These challenges, however, illuminated our resilience. They have revealed the creativity and determination of our farmers, officials, scientists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. They have underscored our capacity to adapt, our capacity to innovate, our capacity to build systems that are not merely reactive, but proactive and sustainable,” Minister Duggins said.

“Now is the time for us to sow seeds of transformation,” he added.

The Minister said CWA participants can look forward to engaging forums, technical workshops, dynamic exchanges, business-to-business networking, and insightful field visits that will showcase advancements in processing, sustainable farming, and the emerging green economy.

He reminded the participants that Caribbean Week of Agriculture is “a clarion call for us to reimagine how we produce, how we process, and how we protect our food. A call to mobilise investment, not only financial capital, but human talent and intellectual resources as well.”

CWA is a united regional effort

Dr. Wendell Samuel, Senior Economic Adviser and Acting Assistant Secretary-General at the CARICOM Secretariat, said that CWA represents a united regional effort to address the pressing challenges of climate change and food and nutrition security. He noted that transforming Caribbean food systems and accelerating agricultural growth are central to this mission.

“The Caribbean Week of Agriculture continues to serve as the premier regional platform for raising awareness and promoting investments in agriculture and food and nutrition security,” Dr. Samuel stated.

“It plays a pivotal role in reshaping public perception, stimulating meaningful engagement, and supporting the growth of the region’s food systems,” he added.

Ambassador David Prendergast, Director of Sectoral Programmes in the Directorate of Economic Integration, Innovation and Development (EIID), noted that the event will bring together a wide cross-section of stakeholders. These include agricultural planners, policymakers, farmers, producers, private sector actors, development partners, academic and research institutions, and regional organizations. Their collective participation, he said, underscores the region’s shared commitment to inclusive dialogue and transformational change in Caribbean agriculture.

The Director noted that 2025 marks a critical milestone in the Community’s journey toward securing a prosperous future for the sector. He said the CWA 2025 programme reflects that urgency, with a week-long series of activities beginning with a vibrant opening ceremony; an Open Expo, which will showcase innovative and sustainable agricultural practices; technical sessions and a Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development on Agriculture.

Youth issues, Caribbean Perspectives

Outlining the youth agenda at CWA 2025, the Chair of the CARICOM Youth Advisory Body, Ms Teesha Mangra said that the event will spotlight themes that matter most to her generation, including circular agriculture, the youth economy, digital market access, agri-innovation, inclusion of marginalized youth in food systems, agri-education, transitioning into entrepreneurship, and regional youth collaboration for climate and food resilience.

“These are not just youth issues, they are Caribbean imperatives. And we are not the future; we are present drivers of regional resilience,” she said, thanking partners who have supported youth involvement in agriculture, including CARICOM, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), international partners, and regional governments.

“Thank you for investing in young people. Thank you for recognising that resilience does not grow in silos, but in solidarity,” Ms. Mangal stated.

International Partnerships and Cooperation

Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), H.E. Dr. Manuel Otero, noted that this year’s theme for CWA is both timely and appropriate. He said it reflects the spirit of innovation and urgency needed to renew the Region’s commitment to securing a sustainable future for the agricultural sector, while also showcasing the very soul of the Caribbean, rooted in resilience.

He added that IICA remains committed to contributing to this important initiative, including strengthening extension services, boosting production and employment, and enhancing rural resilience. He also extended congratulations to Saint Kitts and Nevis for agreeing to host CWA 2025 and for its steadfast commitment to regional agricultural transformation.

Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Mr. Máximo Torero, underscored FAO’s commitment to advancing regional agricultural priorities. He outlined the organisation’s work across the sector, including its support for the regional youth in agriculture agenda.

In this regard, he said FAO is mobilising financing and evidence-based policies to bring youth to the centre of agri-food systems.

FAO is also working with CARICOM on core governance issues in agriculture, including food security, trade, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, sustainable fisheries, and resource management, he stated.

Chief Executive Officer and Technical Director of the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), Dr. Patrick Antoine, said that the organisation “consistently endorsed the Region’s ’25 by 2025′ plan and remain firmly committed to working with the Community to help ensure that the extended initiative to 2030 is fully realized.”

Dr. Antoine added that the CPSO also fully supports the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and remains focused on accelerating regional integration through private sector-led growth.

“We are committed to creating the enabling environment for investment, reducing barriers to trade, and unlocking the full potential of the region’s productive sectors, especially our food and agricultural sectors,” he said.

Please view highlights from the launch here.

In her message Dr. Barnett described the election outcome as a testament to the trust and confidence the people of Suriname have placed in the leadership of Dr. Geerlings-Simons.

“We particularly note the historic significance of your election as the first female President of Suriname,” Dr. Barnett stated.

She expressed her anticipation in welcoming Dr. Geerlings-Simons to the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM and collaborating on initiatives that promote the welfare and prosperity of both the Surinamese people and the wider Caribbean Community.

“As we collectively navigate the complex challenges facing our Region, including climate change, economic resilience, and sustainable development, your leadership will be crucial,” Dr. Barnett stated.

The full message reads as follows:

“Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I extend my warm congratulations on your election as President of the Republic of Suriname. Your assumption of this high office reflects the democratic will of the People of Suriname and is a testament to their trust in your leadership.

We particularly note the historic significance of your election as the first female President of Suriname.
Suriname plays a vital role in advancing the goals of regional integration, through significant contributions to the Community’s cultural richness, robust environmental advocacy, and multilateral diplomacy.

We welcome Suriname’s continued commitment to the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet for Community Development and Cultural Cooperation, encompassing the critical portfolios of Culture, Gender, Youth and Sport, and Industrial Policy.

As we collectively navigate the complex challenges facing our Region, including climate change, economic resilience, and sustainable development, your leadership will be crucial. We look forward to welcoming you to the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, and to working with you and your government on initiatives and opportunities that advance the welfare and prosperity of the Surinamese People, and the wider Caribbean Community.”

Ends.

On 1 July 2025, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett and Germany’s Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency Dr. Christophe Eick, signed and exchanged diplomatic notes formalising cooperation in six areas including the circular economy, sustainable energy, biodiversity conservation, the Blue Economy, and capacity building for employment in emerging ‘green and blue’ sectors.

This strategic collaboration aims to tackle pressing regional challenges such as climate-sensitive waste management, climate-resilient energy supply, and the sustainable use of biodiversity and marine resources.

The initiative will also include support for technical assistance, institutional strengthening, and stakeholder training, particularly in tourism and agriculture, promoting innovative and circular approaches to development.

In the energy sector, this CARICOM-Germany partnership aims to enhance long-term strategies for transitioning to green energy, encourage investment in renewable projects, and promote decarbonised energy systems throughout the Region.

Similarly, biodiversity and ecosystems will be positioned as key contributors to sustainable development, with the CARICOM Secretariat positioned to receive support to help Member States implement the Caribbean Biodiversity Strategy.

Efforts to develop the blue economy are also expected to be advanced through initiatives focused on Marine Protected Areas and enhanced public-private cooperation for sustainable coastal development. It is anticipated that complementary training programmes will address skills gaps in the education sector, equipping the regional workforce with qualifications needed for employment in green and blue industries.

These important initiatives will be coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), further strengthening the longstanding development cooperation between CARICOM and Germany.

He invited partners to support economic recovery in key sectors such as infrastructure, the green economy, innovation, education and training, cultural tourism, and security, particularly in the greater north and greater south.

At the closing press conference on 8 July, following the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in Montego Bay, Jamaica, both the Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica, and the President-Counsellor highlighted the critical issues and opportunities facing Haiti.

Prime Minister Holness expressed CARICOM’s deep concern over the ongoing situation in the country, stating,

“We continue to be gravely concerned. CARICOM has been very vocal in its call for international support and has been working with Haiti to ensure that its needs and concerns are being addressed.”

He informed the media that in their “detailed discussion” with the President-Counsellor, Heads of Government were apprised of the work of the Council towards strengthening security, holding a referendum on the reform of Haiti’s constitution, and elections in November.

Mr. Saint Cyr outlined the factors necessary to secure a safe and sustainable future in his country, stating,

“Haiti, today, needs the Region to speak with one voice in defence of security, peace, and sustainable development.”

He expressed gratitude to the countries that have already contributed personnel to the Multinational Security Support Mission and those offering training for the Haitian National Police.

At the same time, he pleaded for a redoubling of efforts to restore peace and security in Haiti through training, financial assistance, logistical, and technical support.

Mr. Saint Cyr said that Haiti is also counting on the Community to intensify advocacy with other regional and international partners for rigorous regional cooperation to control the illicit flow of arms and ammunition and combat drug trafficking.

“Haiti relies on its friends and international partners, especially within CARICOM, for the restoration of security, the organisation of elections, and long-term support for national reconstruction. It is together through a united front of coherent sustainable and solidaristic actions that we will be able to face this crisis and deliver on the major priorities of Haiti’s transition,” he stated.

“I welcome the discussions and the shared consensus that Haiti’s security depends on investments including foreign direct investment to address structural causes on insecurity. Haiti remains a land of opportunity,” he added.

Mr. Saint Cyr reaffirmed his commitment to working alongside his colleagues at the TPC toward a successful transition, noting that Haiti is ready to fully assume its responsibilities, but it will not succeed alone.