Prime Ministers from across the region will be taking several critical decisions on the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, as well as a single position on several international negotiations when the Heads of Government Conference is held here next month.

This was revealed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, during a recent press conference held at her Culloden Road office.

She noted that fifteen CARICOM Heads of State and the Heads of five Associated States and their delegations, totaling more than 150 persons, would deliberate over a number of issues related to the region.

According to Senator McClean some of the discussions during the meeting will relate to Climate Change and Sustainable Development. ??She stated that on Thursday, July 2, there would be a high-level strategic dialogue on Sustainable Development.

This event will feature United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon and will be attended by CARICOM Heads of Government, representatives from the private sector and experts in the field.

???The purpose of the dialogue is to share with the United Nations Secretary-General ideas and concerns about Caribbean Development. This is particularly important now because later this year, there will be three important United Nations events on financing for development, climate change and human development. This provides CARICOM with an opportunity to have its voice heard at the highest level,??? she explained.

The Foreign Affairs Minister added that a number of activities were scheduled to coincide with the Conference. These include a seminar on the topic Barbadian Youth ??? An Integral Part of CARICOM???s Development, which will be held at the Barbados Community College???s (BCC) Liberal Arts Auditorium on Tuesday, June 16.

There will also be an in-house CARICOM exhibition in the lobby of the BCC, as well as another display in the lobby of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.??Additionally, the Division of Youth Affairs has arranged for a Youth Parliament debate also on the topic Barbadian Youth ??? An Integral Part of CARICOM???s Development.

The Conference will be preceded by a CARICOM 10k road race on Sunday, June 28, and will be officially opened on the evening of Thursday, July 2, at Hilton Barbados Resort, Needhams Point, St. Michael.

Barbados will assume Chairmanship of CARICOM for the period July 1,2015 to December 31, 2015. The theme for the period of chairmanship will be Vibrant Societies, Resilient Economies. The last Heads of Government Conference to be held in Barbados was in 2007.

kim.ramsay-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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