History in the Making: Barbados Hosts Groundbreaking Caricom Conference!

Caribbean Community Leaders Convene in Barbados

Leaders from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) are gathering in Barbados for the 48th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government. Under the theme “Strength in Unity: Building Caribbean Resilience, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development,” discussions will cover a range of crucial topics including UK reparations for slavery, security, digital resilience, foreign affairs, and the Caricom Single Market. Chaired by Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, the conference aims to address the challenges posed by a rapidly changing global landscape.

Regional Integration and Development
Caricom Secretary-General Carla Barnett emphasized the need for strategic planning and meaningful actions that benefit all citizens of the Caribbean Community. The focus will be on promoting regional integration and economic and social development amidst a shifting global context.
Commonwealth Support
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland will provide updates on the Commonwealth’s assistance to Caricom members. Key areas of support include climate change, artificial intelligence, debt management, and addressing challenges faced by Small Island Developing States. Scotland reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to collaborating with the region on unique challenges.
Special Guests and Agenda
The opening day of the conference will feature speeches from special guests including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Presidents Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, and Reuben T. Meade of Montserrat. The event coincides with reports of Caribbean leaders planning a trip to London to restate their demands for reparations, although the UK Foreign Office has denied any such plans.

As the Commonwealth Secretary-General concludes her tenure, the collaborative efforts between Caricom and the Commonwealth serve as a testament to the power of unity and cooperation in advancing shared values of democracy, human rights, and sustainable development. The conference signals a commitment to addressing regional challenges and fostering inclusive growth and resilience in the Caribbean.