The Forty-Seventh Common Assembly of the Convention of Heads of Authorities of the Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) was held from 28-30 July in St George’s, Grenada underneath the chairmanship of the Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada.
The Assembly was rescheduled from the beforehand introduced date of three -5 July, as a result of Hurricane Beryl, which impacted eight Member States and Affiliate Members.
Members of the Convention in attendance have been: Honourable Gaston Browne (digital) Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Honourable Roosevelt Skerritt, Prime Minister of Dominica; Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana; Senator Edgard Leblanc Fils, President of the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti; Honourable Philip Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of Suriname; and Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Honourable Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Schooling and Technical and Vocational Coaching represented The Bahamas; Honourable Francis William Fonseca, Minister of Overseas Affairs and Overseas Commerce, (digital), represented Belize; Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson-Smith, Minister of Overseas Affairs and Overseas Commerce represented Jamaica; Honourable Charles Kirnon, Minister of Schooling, Well being, Social Providers, Sports activities, Youth and Ecclesiastical Affairs represented Montserrat; and the Honourable Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister, represented St Kitts and Nevis.
Affiliate Member States represented have been Bermuda, by the Honourable Walter Roban, Deputy Premier and Minister of House Affairs; the British Virgin Islands, by Premier, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley; Curaçao by His Excellency Gilmar Pisas, Prime Minister; and the Turks and Caicos Islands, by the Honourable Arlington Alexander Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Providers.
OPENING CEREMONY
CARICOM Secretary Basic, Dr Carla Barnett, welcomed the Neighborhood and company to the Opening Ceremony at Constitution Corridor, St George’s College.
The Secretary-Basic acknowledged Grenada’s braveness and dedication in internet hosting the Assembly regardless of the current devastation attributable to Hurricane Beryl. She famous the numerous position performed by the Caribbean Catastrophe Emergency Administration Company (CDEMA) in aid and restoration efforts for instance of the crucial position of CARICOM establishments in deepening integration.
“We have now taken notable steps in direction of realising a number of the principal tenets of the Grand Anse Declaration signed on this soil in July 1989,” the Secretary-Basic mentioned. “As our nations reinforce resilience and progress, it’s crucial that this Forty-Seventh Common Assembly advances discussions and choices intrinsic to the aims of CARICOM integration.”
Outgoing Chair, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, highlighted a number of CARICOM accomplishments as a result of inter-regional cooperation, akin to enhancements in meals and diet safety, developments in restoring peaceable governance in Haiti, managing pure disasters and efforts to revitalize West Indies cricket.
“There is no such thing as a stronger voice on local weather change and reform of the monetary system to deliver local weather justice to Small Island Creating States than the voices of the Caribbean,” he identified.
Chairman of the Convention, the Honourable Dickon Mitchell, expressed appreciation for the numerous help he acquired from CARICOM Member States within the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. He underscored the more and more devastating impression of local weather change on the Area. “We’re not exaggerating the impression. The stark actuality is that we might not have a rustic to move on to future generations, and that’s the reason CARICOM is not going to fail to advocate for local weather justice,” he mentioned.
Admission of Curacao, Sixth Affiliate Member
In step with the Choice of the Convention of Heads of Authorities of CARICOM taken at its Thirty-Eighth Inter-Sessional Assembly held in Caucus on 4 June 2024, Curaçao was formally admitted as an Affiliate Member of CARICOM in the course of the opening ceremony.
The Settlement was signed by the Chairman of CARICOM and the Prime Minister of Curaçao, His Excellency Gilmar Pisas.
“As we embark on this new chapter, we’re dedicated to contributing to and benefitting from the synergies that CARICOM membership gives,” Prime Minister Pisas mentioned.
Conferral of the Order of the Caribbean Neighborhood
A spotlight of the Opening Ceremony was the conferral of the Area’s highest honour, the Order of the Caribbean Neighborhood (OCC), on West Indian cricketer extraordinaire, Sir Clive Lloyd of Guyana, and former CARICOM Secretary-Basic, the Honourable Roderick Rainford, OJ , of Jamaica.
Each have been lauded for his or her sterling contributions to the Area.
The opening ceremony could be seen at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Shows can be found through :
https://caricom.org/47hgc/ and
https://caricom.org/remarks-
CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)
The Hon Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and Lead Head of Authorities for the CARICOM Single Market and Financial system (CSME) reported that progress has been made in updating the Frequent Exterior Tarriff and Guidelines of Origin Regimes, creating mannequin legal guidelines to help the harmonisation of enterprise legal guidelines and promote mutual recognition. She recognised the continued work to deal with competitors coverage within the Neighborhood via the attainable twin perform position of the CARICOM Competitors Fee (CCC), and the progress made a draft regional industrial coverage.
THE CARICOM AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS AGENDA- FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY
His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Lead Head of Authorities for Agriculture and Meals Safety, reported that the Area was realising measured progress in its efforts in direction of regional meals and diet safety, with the April 2024 CARICOM/World Meals Programme Livelihood Survey indicating a 17% discount in meals insecurity. It was famous that by the primary quarter of 2024, CARICOM Member States had recorded a 30% achievement of targets set and a 12% decline in actual imports, equal to 1 / 4 of a billion {dollars}. He additionally famous that these achievements have been earlier than Hurricane Beryl which devastated the agriculture sector of the affected states and injury assessments have been ongoing. Early estimates are that the passage of Hurricane Beryl has resulted in losses to the Area’s agriculture sector (excluding fisheries) of some US$159.3 million.
The Assembly famous the event of a Regional Youth in Agriculture Technique and the launch of the Regional Financial Agri-Insurance coverage Programme (REAP) on 26 July 2024, as constructive steps towards constructing resilience and manufacturing.
Heads of Authorities urged regional monetary establishments to supply a particular programme of help to the agriculture stakeholders and enterprises in direction of restoration and rehabilitation of the sector. In addition they agreed to the adoption of a regional resilient Farmstead- Shadehouse Mannequin geared in direction of the financial enchancment of rural household farms. This mannequin is adaptable to the precise circumstances of explicit Member States.
STRATEGY FOR REGIONAL DIGITAL RESILIENCE 2025 – 2030
As a part of a method for Regional Digital Resilience introduced by Prime Minister Mitchell, Chairman of the Convention, and Lead Head on Science and Expertise (together with Info and Communications), the Convention agreed to determine a CARICOM Digital Expertise Coaching and Studying Community (CDSTLD), and to launch the Digi-Good CARICOM Digital Expertise Initiative in 2024.
In addition they agreed to undertake a regional challenge to coach CARICOM residents in key areas akin to Synthetic Intelligence and information analytics.
Extra actions underneath the Technique will embrace institution of the Cybersecurity and Resilience Info Sharing Framework at IMPACS; launch of a telemedicine pilot in three CARICOM Member States; commissioning of a CARICOM Digital Well being Technique; and the institution of an Synthetic Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Grenada.
DEVELOPMENTS IN REGIONAL AIR AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
The Assembly acquired an replace on the notable enhancements in airlift to, from and throughout the Area, together with the operationalization of LIAT 2020 with provision of jet providers.
Heads of Authorities agreed to host a Regional Symposium on Air Transport in Barbados by the primary quarter of 2025, underneath the theme “Constructing cooperation for the additional growth of Regional Civil Aviation”.
The Symposium will present Worldwide Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) coaching programmes to business personnel, and can tackle regulatory, operational, security, safety, and gender points within the sector.
Heads of Authorities acquired a standing report on the Intra-Regional Passenger/Cargo Ferry Service between Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago, on which actions are far superior.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTANABLE DEVELOPMENT
The Convention famous the urgency for the Area to have interaction in high-level political advocacy to proceed to reiterate the Area’s place on Local weather Change; advocate for pressing motion throughout the local weather agenda; emphasise the vulnerability of SIDS; and ship a sturdy local weather finance aim at COP 29.
They referred to as for the Loss and Injury Fund to deal with scale and responsiveness, the 2 points that are most important for SIDS.
They agreed that CARICOM Member States will every ship a unified assertion at COP29, and convene a Donor’s Convention on the margins of COP 29.
Hurricane Beryl and its Aftermath
The Convention acquired an replace from the Caribbean Catastrophe Emergency Administration Company (CDEMA) on the aid and restoration help given to the Area by Member States, regional establishments and worldwide businesses. Eight CARICOM Member States and Affiliate Members have been impacted by the hurricane. There was important injury to housing inventory and different crucial infrastructure in some nations, and to the agriculture and fisheries sectors. The Caribbean Public Well being Company (CARPHA) additionally introduced an replace on its post-disaster well being response noting the rising dangers to public well being, together with from vector borne ailments, from local weather change and ensuing excessive climate occasions.
Heads of Authorities have established a CARICOM Sub-Committee to develop a method in direction of financing for restoration from the hurricane. They agreed to regional cooperation to advance the suggestions of the sub-committee.
They famous that every one future regional insurance coverage schemes needs to be reasonable and reflective of the realities of the CARICOM Area. The Convention requested an examination of parametric insurance coverage and referred to as for a particular assembly of Finance Ministers with the Caribbean Disaster Threat Insurance coverage Facility Segregated Portfolio Firm (CCRIF) to debate fashions and merchandise appropriate for the Area.
Message from the Minister Mukhtar Babayev President of COP 29 (Digital)
In his video message, the Minister for Ecology and Pure Sources of the Azerbaijan Republic and President-Designate of COP 29 famous that as host, Azerbaijan is dedicated to making sure that SIDS experiences, challenges and considerations are on the centre of discussions throughout COP 29 scheduled for 11 – 22 November.
He additional famous that the commitments of his Presidency are to reinforce ambitions with clear plans on how one can preserve 1.5 levels with attain; and create the situations to form the worldwide monetary structure to ship for individuals and the planet.
ENGAGEMENT WITH SPECIAL GUEST (VIRTUAL)
Proper Honourable Patricia Scotland, KC, Secretary-Basic of the Commonwealth
In her video message, the Secretary Basic famous that CARICOM has been central to the method which has reestablished the Commonwealth as a robust drive for good. She mentioned the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Authorities Assembly (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa on 21 October 2024 will study debt and reform of the worldwide monetary structure, pressing motion wanted at COP 29, and can put ahead a brand new oceans declaration.
The Convention expressed appreciation to Baroness Scotland for the work completed throughout her management of the Commonwealth Secretariat, notably the continued give attention to in search of to deal with the wants and considerations of small states.
ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS PERMANENT FORUM FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT (UN PFPAD)
Her Excellency Dr. June Soomer, Chair
Dr. June Soomer up to date the Convention on the work of the Everlasting Discussion board and proposed alternatives for strategic engagement and partnership between the Discussion board and the Neighborhood.
Heads of Authorities famous the essential position performed by the Everlasting Discussion board. They endorsed Dr Soomer’s suggestions for elevated engagement between the UNPFPAD and related arms of CARICOM to advance a programme of joint advocacy, together with on reparations.
They reiterated their name for help to the Everlasting Discussion board’s marketing campaign for the United Nations to proclaim a second Worldwide Decade for Individuals of African Descent.
ENGAGEMENTS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, LABOUR, CIVIL SOCIETYAND YOUTH
The Convention acquired displays from the CARICOM Non-public Sector Organisation( CPSO), Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), Caribbean Coverage Growth Centre (CPDC) and the CARICOM Youth Ambassador corps (CYA). They famous the continued work in direction of establishing an applicable mechanism to make sure enough session with them for extra inclusive decision-making within the Area.
In addition they famous the dear contributions by CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and different youth, and underscored the necessity for the improved involvement of younger individuals in regional growth efforts.
HEALTH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (HeDPAC)
The Partnership is a South-South collaboration effort initiated by Barbados, Guyana and Rwanda to deal with urgent well being challenges in Africa and the Caribbean. This consists of health-related problems with the local weather disaster. The HeDPAC initiative has three principal priorities: to mitigate the difficulties confronted by the well being workforce of the Africa and Caribbean areas, together with training, employment, deployment, retention, and efficiency; to construct resilient well being programs able to withstanding rising threats; and to advertise the native manufacturing of medical merchandise, together with vaccines, to handle the gaps recognized in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Partnership may be leveraged to enhance information exchanges between Africa and the Caribbean, to reinforce regulatory capability for medicines, medical provides and gear, and to facilitate the free motion of CARICOM nationals throughout the Neighborhood via advancing the digitalization of well being info programs.
All Member States are invited to accomplice with HeDPAC to leverage sustainable well being growth and capability constructing via political, technical, and scientific collaboration between the Areas.
BORDER ISSUES
- Belize- Guatemala
Heads of Authorities acquired an replace on the Belize – Guatemala and the Belize – Honduras circumstances earlier than the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICJ) and recommended the Events for in search of a peaceable decision to all authorized claims towards Belize’s land and insular territories and any maritime areas pertaining to these territories. They referred to as on all Events to abide by and implement the ICJ resolution when delivered.
The Convention expressed concern over the continued unlawful actions by Guatemalan nationals in Belizean territory alongside the Belize – Guatemala border and referred to as on the Guatemalan Authorities to dissuade its nationals, in accordance with the Confidence Constructing Measures signed in 2005, from coming into Belizean territory. They referred to as on each governments to work collectively to confront illicit actions alongside the Belize – Guatemala border by organizing joint patrols with the help of the Group of American States (OAS).
They recommended the work carried out by the OAS in decreasing tensions and constructing good neighbourly relations between Belize and Guatemala and urged the worldwide neighborhood to proceed their help for the operations of the OAS workplace, whose work will proceed to be crucial together with after the ICJ resolution.
- Guyana- Venezuela
Heads of Authorities acquired an replace on current developments in Guyana/Venezuela relations.
They famous that regardless of the 1 December 2023 Order of Provisional Measures made by the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice and the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela, and agreed by the events on 14 December 2023, with help from CARICOM and CELAC, Venezuela continued its aggressive posture in direction of Guyana. They famous that following the promulgation of the natural regulation by the Authorities of Venezuela on 3 April 2024 to annex greater than two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, Guyana introduced this matter to the eye of the United Nations Safety Council which reminded each events that they have been obligated to adjust to the Order of the Courtroom.
Heads of Authorities took be aware of the considerations raised by Guyana that the continued navy build-up by Venezuela on the border between the nations poses a menace to regional peace and safety.
Heads welcomed the submission by Venezuela on 8 April 2024, of its Counter-Memorial to the Courtroom and the Courtroom Order dated 14 June 2024, authorising the submission of a Reply by Guyana on 9 December 2024 and a Rejoinder by Venezuela on 11 August 2025. They reiterated their continued help for the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice, which has accepted jurisdiction over the controversy, to resolve it absolutely and at last by way of its binding authorized Judgment.
They reaffirmed CARICOM’s loyal help for the upkeep and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.
THE SITUATION IN HAITI
The Convention welcomed the report by the President of the newly established Transitional Presidential Council and recognised the appointment of a Prime Minister and a brand new Cupboard. The Convention famous the numerous position performed by the Eminent Individuals Group (EPG) within the course of.
Heads of Authorities famous the arrival in Haiti of some 400 safety personnel from Kenya in help of the Multi-national Safety Help Mission authorised by the UN Safety Council, as nicely the shortfall in financing for the deployment of Safety Help personnel from CARICOM Member States.
They expressed nice concern on the dire humanitarian scenario, characterised by acute meals insecurity, and reiterated their dedication to help Haiti via its transition course of and past, together with via continued help of the Eminent Individuals Group.
CUBA
Heads of Authorities registered their concern on the rising humanitarian disaster in Cuba occasioned by the continued embargo issued by the US of America and issued a Assertion of solidarity with Cuba.
The Assertion could be accessed through: https://caricom.org/
CRIME AND SECURITY
Heads of Authorities acquired a safety temporary from the CARICOM Implementation Company for Crime and Safety (IMPACS) and issued a Assertion on Crime and Violence.
The Assertion could be accessed through: https://caricom.org/
APPRECIATION
Heads of Authorities expressed their appreciation to Dr Pleasure St John, who ended her tenure as Government Director of the Caribbean Public Well being Company (CARPHA) on 30 June 2024.
Heads of Authorities additionally expressed appreciation to Assistant Secretary Basic (ASG) Financial Integration, Innovation and Growth, Mr Joseph Cox who was leaving the CARICOM Secretariat after serving three phrases as ASG.
The Convention additionally expressed appreciation to the Authorities and Individuals of Grenada for his or her glorious hospitality and courtesies as host of the assembly.
DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
Heads of Authorities accepted the invitation of Barbados to host the 48th Common Assembly of the Convention from 20 – 21 February 2025.
STATEMENTS
The Convention issued the next Statements:
Assertion on Crime and Violence
We, CARICOM Heads of Authorities are deeply involved by the degrees of crime and violence within the Area, fueled partially, by firearms and ammunition trafficking, transnational prison networks, and a deterioration of social constructions. We’re additionally notably involved in regards to the impression of crime and violence on younger individuals and youngsters.
We reiterate our dedication to ongoing pressing motion to guard the residents of the Area and to the security, safety and preservation of public curiosity in coping with crime and violence, together with via the sharing of knowledge and the strengthening of laws in respect of firearms offences, violent crime and bail. We additional acknowledge the worth of restorative justice, social and cultural interventions and intolerance of corruption, in attaining long- time period social change.
We decide to the strengthening and elevated use of current regional mechanisms and establishments to deal with crime and safety, together with the CARICOM IMPACS Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre and the pressing exploration of recent approaches to combatting excessive ranges of criminality.
CARICOM recognises the significance of the April 2023 Regional Symposium on Crime and Safety as a Public Well being Problem hosted by Trinidad and Tobago and welcomes the supply by Barbados to host a second Symposium earlier than the tip of 2024.
Ongoing regional and nationwide collaboration are crucial to addressing the multifaceted challenges to crime and violence which threaten trendy Caribbean society. We name on all CARICOM residents to be a part of the answer by reporting crimes and by refusing to help prison exercise, recognising that crime and violence impacts us all.
St. George’s, Grenada
30 July 2024
Assertion on Cuba
The Forty-Seventh (forty seventh) Convention of Heads of Authorities of the Caribbean Neighborhood is gravely involved in regards to the deteriorating humanitarian scenario in Cuba ensuing from the embargo wrongfully imposed on the individuals and Authorities of Cuba over the past 62 years by the Authorities of the US of America.
The Convention reiterates its name for the lifting of the unjust unilateral monetary, financial, and commerce embargo.
In mild of the depth of the humanitarian scenario, CARICOM Heads of Authorities agreed to supply materials help to help Cuba.
CARICOM considers the US State Division’s ongoing inclusion of Cuba on its record of State Sponsors of Terrorism as flawed and offensive. The Convention reiterates its name for Cuba to be instantly faraway from this record.
St. George’s, Grenada
30 July 2024
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1 August 2024
