Photos: CARICOM\YouTube Screenshots

Ahead of Haiti’s Two Hundred and Twenty-First Anniversary of Independence on 1 January 2025, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett has said that the Region remains committed to a long-term plan for peace and security within the Member State.

“CARICOM remains in solidarity with Haiti as a valued Member of the Caribbean Community, supporting its efforts to strengthen national institutions, reform its constitution, and revitalise its electoral and governance processes,” asserted Dr Barnett.

She noted that the Community remains resolute in collaborating with Haiti to pursue lasting peace, security, economic prosperity and social progress, which she described as the “stepping stones to the quality of life that the people of Haiti fully deserve.”

Please view Dr Barnett’s message below.

“Excellency,

The Caribbean Community extends warm congratulations to the Government and People of the Republic of Haiti on the achievement of its Two Hundred and Twenty-First Anniversary of Independence.

The historical significance of Haiti’s independence continues to inspire the Caribbean Community. This occasion is cause for celebration and pride in the indomitable resilience of the Haitian people, who persevere in the face of many challenges.

CARICOM remains in solidarity with Haiti as a valued Member of the Caribbean Community, supporting its efforts to strengthen national institutions, reform its constitution, and revitalise its electoral and governance processes.

Moreover, the Community remains committed to collaborating with Haiti in its pursuit of lasting peace, security, economic prosperity and social progress, which are stepping stones to the quality of life that the people of Haiti fully deserve, and the prosperity and advancement to which all Caribbean citizens aspire.

I join the Community in marking this significant achievement with the Republic of Haiti, and extend best wishes for the continued advancement and well-being of its People.”

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Throughout 2024, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat remained focused on supporting efforts to deepen regional integration and improve the welfare of the Region’s citizens.

Under the decisive leadership of the Conference of Heads of Government, we advanced many of the Region’s key priorities. Food and nutrition security was boosted through the 25 by 2025 initiative; there were efforts to improve air and maritime transportation in the Region and advance implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and initiatives to stem the worrying issue of crime and violence.

We continued to take advantage of opportunities in regional and international fora to advocate for decisive climate action by the international community to keep temperatures to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. We also called for urgent attention to honour commitments made to provide climate financing. The Bridgetown Initiative and implementation of the multilaterally agreed Multidimensional Vulnerability Index remain critical to ensuring that CARICOM Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States (SIDS) receive the resources needed to increase and sustain resilience.

Great effort was expended throughout the year by CARICOM leaders and the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) towards the resumption of functional governance and security in Haiti, by ensuring Haitian-led and Haitian-owned solutions to the ongoing crises. Regrettably, the growing insecurity caused by gang violence remains a serious threat to the aspirations and hopes of the people of Haiti, as many thousands of persons continue to be displaced, and are victims of violence and food insecurity.

In July, the record-breaking Hurricane Beryl severely impacted agriculture, fisheries, communications and transportation in several countries of the Region. However, in the true spirit of Community, our Member States and Regional Institutions rallied to support each other.

The signing of the CARICOM-African Union Memorandum of Understanding in the latter half of the year will promote the strengthening of economic, cultural, political and fraternal relationships between CARICOM and Africa, which will also be bolstered by the increased opportunities for trade, investment and tourism between CARICOM and Africa.

We acknowledge the strong participation of our Member States, International Development Partners, the private sector, labour organisations, the diaspora, and civil society in initiatives to strengthen the pillars of our integration movement. In this regard, for their sterling contribution to the Region, two Community stalwarts, Sir Clive Lloyd and the Honourable Roderick Rainford, were awarded the Order of the Caribbean Community, the Region’s highest honour, at the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.

As the Region seeks to consolidate integration in the year ahead, we look forward to continued collaboration with our stakeholders and partners, including the CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors and CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, as well as the guidance of the Bureau of the Conference, which will comprise Barbados, Grenada and Jamaica effective 1 January 2025.

My sincere thanks to all the staff of the Secretariat at our Georgetown Headquarters and our offices in Barbados and Jamaica, for their unswerving dedication to the work of the Community.

I wish for all peace, success and prosperity in 2025 and safety during the Season’s festivities.

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Photos: CARICOM

Nominations are now being accepted for the CARICOM Sustainable Energy Youth Award (SEYA) and the CARICOM Women in Sustainable Energy Award (WISE).

SEYA is being offered for the first time and targets persons between the ages of 16 and 35, while the WISE award has been offered twice before. The awards seek to recognise the important roles of women and youth in the energy sector as professionals, entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and consumers. They also seek to highlight the importance of gender diversity to enhance the success of the clean energy transition.

These initiatives profile and celebrate women and youth who demonstrate dedication, innovation, creativity, and commitment to the community, by taking action on the energy transition at the local, national, regional, or international levels, in public, private, and civil society sectors.

Nominations will close on 31 December 2024. Thereafter, a panel of judges will review and shortlist the honourees. The awards will be presented in 2025.

Caribbean citizens and residents can access additional information and nomination forms here.

The call for nominations is one of the activities of the 2024 CARICOM Energy Month observed in November.

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Photos: CARICOM

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has identified Ministerial Champions for key negotiation areas during the Twenty-Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which began 11 November in Baku, Azerbaijan. At COP29, CARICOM Member States will advocate for urgent climate action and robust financial commitments to address the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The ministerial strategic leads who will spearhead high-level political advocacy during the negotiations and engage in key bilaterals in the margins to ensure CARICOM priorities are recognised and reflected in COP29 outcomes are:

Just Transition: The Honourable Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development, Government of Trinidad and Tobago; 

Finance and the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG):  The Honourable Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Government of Belize; 

Loss and Damage: Senator The Hon. Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister of State for Climate Resilience in the Office of the Prime Minister of Barbados. The Honourable Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will provide support. 

Global Stocktake: The Honourable Kerryne James, Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy Government of Grenada; 

Markets: The Honourable Dr. Marciano Dasai, Minister of Spatial Planning and Environment, Government of Suriname; and

Adaptation: The Honourable Cozier Frederick, Minister for the Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment, Government of Dominica.

CARICOM’s approach to COP29 is anchored in the principles of limiting global warming to below 1.5°C, emphasising science-driven action and reinforcing the special circumstances of SIDS. It is a landmark year for financing as CARICOM seeks to secure a climate finance goal that guarantees access for SIDS to grant-based or concessional finance, especially for Adaptation and Loss and Damage respectively, through minimum allocation floors and highest levels of concessionality for SIDS.

Tags

climate action climate financing COP 29 loss and damage sids sustainable development

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Photos: YouTube Screenshots\Wikimedia Commons

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown) – As Jamaica prepares to celebrate its Sixty-Second Anniversary of Independence on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett stated that the country continues to be a leading voice in international affairs, setting a standard of excellence in sports, music, and the arts and inspiring millions around the world.

In a message congratulating Jamaica’s Prime Minister, The Most Honorable Andrew Holness, Dr. Barnett praised the country’s significant leadership role in regional integration and development.

Jamaica is commemorating this year’s Independence Day with the theme “Jamaica 62: One Love to the World”.

The Secretary-General described it as “a fitting expression and reflection of Jamaica’s indelible contributions to the Community and profound global impact.”

The full message reads as follows:

Prime Minister,

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) congratulates the Government and People of Jamaica on the country’s Sixty-Second Anniversary of Independence, being celebrated under the theme “Jamaica 62: One Love to the World”.

This year’s theme is a fitting expression and reflection of Jamaica’s indelible contributions to the Community and profound global impact. Indeed, Jamaica continues to provide a leading voice in international affairs, and has set a standard of excellence in sports, music and the arts, inspiring millions worldwide.

As a Founding Member of CARICOM, Jamaica continues to play a significant leadership role in our pursuit of regional integration and development. This has been demonstrated through diplomacy, international trade, and advocacy on several issues of importance in the critical area of external trade negotiations, for which you, Prime Minister, hold lead responsibility in CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet of Heads of Government. Likewise, we recognise Jamaica’s unwavering support to our sister nation, Haiti, as it charts its path to peace and stability.

Prime Minister, the Caribbean Community continues to stand in solidarity with Jamaica, as communities across the island seek to rebuild following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Beryl.

As Jamaicans unite to celebrate with just pride on this Sixty-Second Anniversary of Independence, we commend your achievements and look forward to continued collaboration towards a stronger, more peaceful and more prosperous future.”

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Photos: YouTube Screenshots

The CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) held its first Coordination Meeting today, July 1st, 2024, for the mobilizing of the regional private resources to provide assistance to Member States, which may be impacted by the passage of Hurricane Beryl, currently affecting the Windward Islands.

The CPSO Coordination Meeting was held within the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) framework in which the organization participates on behalf of the regional private sector. The meeting, chaired by CPSO Executive Committee Member, Dr Thackwray Driver, and supported by Chief Executive Officer and Technical Director, Dr Patrick Antoine, sought to ensure coordination and alignment of the private sector response and that participating entities were on standby and in a state of readiness to provide the required aid. This first meeting, convened against the backdrop of Hurricane Beryl’s destructive path through Grenada, Carriacou, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was attended by private sector firms, and Business Support Organizations from Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname and Guyana, and CARICHAM.

“Ultimately, the assistance and support that we aim at providing must be informed by a Needs List,” Dr. Driver stated. “Sometimes, unfortunately, well-meaning private sector and other persons may wish to share a variety of items, but we want to ensure that the support we extend matches the needs of the persons and private sectors in the affected countries as much as possible.”

Thus far, pledges have been confirmed from regional bottled water manufacturers to ensure that an emergency supply is ready and on hand, if required. Additionally, several manufacturers and conglomerates have been approached for the provision of required relief items. Warehouse space has been identified for the staging of relief items, regional marine vessel providers are being engaged to provide the required marine, and outreach is being made for ground transport services.

“To ensure that the support we provide matches the needs of the affected countries, we are in contact with CDEMA, and the disaster coordinating agencies in the respective countries, coordinating with regional private sector associations through CARICHAM, and are awaiting information from them,” Dr Antoine said. “At this point, we are pooling all of the resources at our disposal and confirming the logistics so that we will be ready to mobilize, move ahead and lend the required support at short notice.”

Hurricane Beryl, which intensified to a Category 4 hurricane on Monday, is moving through St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, Grenada, and Carriacou. The CPSO joins with the Community in demonstrating our support for the Member States and CARICOM people who are being so badly affected by the wrath of Hurricane Beryl at this time. We will continue to work assiduously in contributing to the critical needs of those affected and to support the rapid recovery of the private sector and the Communities in affected Member States.

Private Sector actors interested in assisting can contact the CPSO (kbaltimore@thecpso.org; 868-387-2233 ) to make their contributions consistent with the needs of affected States. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.

ABOUT THE CPSO
The CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) is the most recently accredited Associate Institution of the Caribbean Community. The CPSO is a ‘Service Organization’ to mobilize and advance private sector participation in CARICOM, with a mandate to contribute to the full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The Membership of the CPSO is comprised of private sector entities operating in the CARICOM space, including Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs). For further information, please contact the CPSO Secretariat at: info@thecpso.org

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Photos: YouTube Screenshots

The Caribbean Community advises that, as a result Hurricane Beryl’s impending passage through the Region, the 47^th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, scheduled for Grenada from 3-5 July, has been postponed to a date to be determined.

The primary focus of the Community is now on citizen safety and security. Several Member States, including host nation Grenada, are now engaged in emergency preparations and planning to address the aftermath of the hurricane.

We implore everyone in the path of this Hurricane to take all necessary protective measures.

The Community stands ready to support our Member States which will be affected by this dangerous hurricane.

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Photos: CARICOM\YouTube Screenshots

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) welcomes the installation of Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille and the members of his government on 12 June 2024. It is a much anticipated and critical step in addressing the multifaceted crisis and facilitating the transition, through free and fair elections, toward a return to constitutional governance and restoration of lapsed institutions.

The Community has taken keen note of the priorities outlined by both the President of the Presidential Transition Council and the Prime Minister for the transition process, including public security, elections, economic recovery, food and health security, strengthening the rule of law and justice, the national conference and constitutional reform, as well as infrastructure rehabilitation. We applaud the emphasis that was also placed on improving the conditions of all Haitians, transparency and integrity in public affairs and zero tolerance for corruption.

The Caribbean Community extends its best wishes to the transition government and reiterates its readiness to support the government and people of Haiti as they embark on this crucial journey despite the challenging circumstances.

19 June 2024

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Photos: IOM\CARICOM

The CARICOM Secretariat, in collaboration with regional partners and with technical support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is developing a Regional Migration Policy.

In part one (1) of “Migration4Development,” Sherwin Toyne-Stephenson, Programme Manager, Crime and Security, CARICOM Secretariat, explains the process involved in creating the policy and why full stakeholder involvement is crucial.

Brendan Tarnay, Program Officer – Caribbean, IOM, joins the conversation and gives his perspective on the Policy’s importance to the Caribbean Community’s development.

Click below to view.  Follow more updates on the Regional Migration Policy on CARICOM.org and on our social media platforms using #Migration4Development

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Photos: CARICOM\YouTube Screenshot

The practical ways that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat can support the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in its preparations for COP 29 was a key topic when a CARICOM team held talks with the UNFCCC.

The discussions on Monday 27 May, were held during the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Antigua and Barbuda, and also focused on the outcomes of COP 28.

The Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas; Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General; Dr. Natalio Wheatley, Premier of the British Virgin Islands; the Hon. Shawn Edward, Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training of Saint Lucia; the Hon. Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and senior officials from Barbados, Dominica and Suriname, were also in attendance at the meeting with UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Simon Steill.

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