Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 20, 2025 (PMO) — With the weight of regional challenges and the promise of collective action, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, joined fellow Caribbean leaders in Bridgetown, Barbados, for the highly anticipated opening of the Forty-Eighth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), on February 19th at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Under the theme “Strength in Unity: Forging Caribbean Resilience, Inclusive Growth, and Sustainable Development,” the meeting commenced with a resounding call for bold leadership, deeper regional cooperation, and urgent solutions to the most pressing issues facing Caribbean nations.
The opening ceremony set the tone for what promises to be a pivotal gathering of CARICOM Heads of Government. While giving brief remarks, outgoing CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister of Grenada, Honourable Dickon Mitchell, reflected on the devastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl at the start of his tenure, highlighting the strength of regional solidarity in the face of adversity. He described CARICOM’s response as a “unified force that gave the people of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique the resilience to rebound,” emphasizing that such collective action is the foundation upon which the region must continue to build, and embrace CARICOM.
Global leaders also took center stage, reinforcing CARICOM’s strategic importance on the international stage. United Nations Secretary-General, His Excellency António Guterres, and President of the European Commission, Her Excellency Ursula von der Leyen, both underscored the Caribbean’s role in shaping global climate policy and economic sustainability. They pledged continued international support as CARICOM nations advocate for climate justice, economic resilience, and fairer global trade policies.
Newly appointed CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister of Barbados, The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, delivered a compelling keynote address, making it clear that the impending meeting “cannot be business as usual.” She challenged leaders to be “present and bolder than ever,” outlining her priorities for CARICOM, including freedom of movement, tackling the rising cost of living, enhancing education, and strengthening regional security.
In a powerful call to action, she also stressed the need for independent funding mechanisms for CARICOM institutions and highlighted the ongoing crisis in Haiti, insisting that the region must go beyond short-term solutions and commit to a sustainable development plan that ensures access to education, healthcare, and fundamental human rights for the Haitian people.
With the stage set for decisive action, Prime Minister Drew is poised to engage in critical discussions on behalf of St. Kitts and Nevis, ensuring that national priorities align with the broader CARICOM agenda.
The opening ceremony has paved the way for two intense days of high-level meetings, covering economic policy, climate action, food security, and crime. As the deliberations unfold, the regional leaders are expected to finalize key agreements that will shape the region’s future and reinforce CARICOM’s role in global decision-making.
