Prime Minister to CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Bahamas; lots on agenda

Published by BBNTEAM at February 14, 2023

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Posted: Tuesday, February 14, 2023. 10:51 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: Prime Minister John Briceño departed the country late on Monday en route to Nassau, Bahamas, where he will attend the 44th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett told the CARICOM media unit that several critical topics are and remain top of the agenda – the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), climate change and financing, agriculture and food security among others.

CARICOM members have already passed 57 percent of the target to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 percent by 2025; a report will be presented by Guyanese president Irfaan Ali on the work being done in this regard.

On the foreign affairs agenda, Dr Barnett said there will be engagements between the Heads and special guests Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau; the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the President and Chairman of the African Export-Import Bank, Professor Benedict Okey Oramah; and the Executive President of the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), Sergio Díaz-Granados. As well, the region’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs will be meeting with a U.S. representative to follow up on plans made at the Los Angeles Summit of the Americas last year.

CARICOM is also making plans for its 50th anniversary Golden Jubilee celebrations, which will culminate with the next Heads of Government meeting in July.

The Prime Minister will return to the country on February 17. During his absence, Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining will hold over as Prime Minister.

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