Barbados will host the 31st Intersessional Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from Tuesday, February 18, to Wednesday, February 19, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC).
Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, will be the Special Guest and will be present for the first day of the conference.
The informal summit of regional leaders will get under way on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. with remarks being delivered by CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; Outgoing Chairman, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet of St Lucia; and host and current Chairman, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley. It is expected to be televised live on CBC TV Channel 8, and livestreamed throughout the region.
Prior to the conference, there will be a meeting of CARICOM’s Community Council on Monday, February 17, at the LESC, beginning at 3:00 p.m.
During the summit, heads of government will examine agenda items such as the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME); De-Risking and Withdrawal of Correspondent Banking, the Report on the Commission on the Economy; and security matters and border issues between Belize and Guatemala, and Guyana and Venezuela. They will also have discussions with the private sector, labour and civil society and meet in caucus to examine security issues, among other items.
At the end of the two-day conference, regional leaders will ratify a number of decisions; issue a Communiqué and select the date of their next summit, which is scheduled to take place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
CARICOM Chairman Prime Minister Mottley, other regional leaders and the CARICOM Secretary General will host a press conference on Wednesday, February 19, at 5:00 p.m. at the LESC to provide an update on decisions made by leaders and their implications for the region.