45th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting opens today

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government meet in Trinidad and Tobago, 3-5 July 2023, for their 45^th Regular Meeting and to launch a year of celebrations to mark the 50^th Anniversary of the founding of the regional grouping.

The packed agenda for the Meeting tackles several pressing issues for the Community, including food security concerns, climate change and the climate finance agenda; the ongoing difficulties in Haiti; security issues; external relations matters and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The Heads of Government will engage several international guests, including the President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame; the UN Secretary-General, H.E. Antonio Guterres; President-Designate of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28), H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jabe; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea H.E. Han Duck-Soo; US Secretary-of-State, Mr. Anthony Blinken, and Minority Leader in the US House of Representatives, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.

The Meeting’s Opening Ceremony, scheduled for Monday at 4:30 pm (Trinidad Time) at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain, will be addressed by the Chairman, Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica; outgoing Chairman, Prime Minister Hon. Philip Davis of The Bahamas; host Prime Minister Dr. the on Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago, and UN Secretary-General H.E. Antonio Guterres.

On Tuesday, 4 July, the 50^th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty which created CARICOM, the Heads of Government and delegates will return to Chaguaramas, the venue of the historic signing, for a commemorative ceremony which will feature a Flag Raising event; planting of a Time Capsule and addresses by the CARICOM Chairman and host Prime Minister.

During the day’s business session, representatives of foreign governments and heads of international organisations will be invited to pay special tributes to CARICOM in honour of the milestone. Regional cultural artistes will also pay tribute in song, dance, steelband music and other artforms during a CARICOM 50^th Anniversary Concert.

Source: CARICOM TODAY