Hundreds of dancers, artists, musicians, actors and cultural exponents, representing these countries are set to entertain visitors during the gala event which has been described as the āGreatest Cultural Mix of All Timeā.
One of the most important features of CARIFESTA VIII will be the Grand Market, in which all participating countries will have an opportunity to showcase their respective art and craft traditions.
Ā We the Heads of Government of the member countries of the Caribbean Community meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Percival J. Patterson, on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas on 4 July 1973;
RECALLING the commitments signified in the Preamble and Articles of that Treaty establishing the Caribbean Community;
Your Excellencies the Governor General of Jamaica and the Most Hon. Lady Cooke
Our Host, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, and our current CARICOM Chairman, the Most Hon. P. J. Patterson
Your Excellencies, the Presidents of the Republic of South Africa and of the Republic of Chile
Distinguished Heads of State and Government of Member States and Associate Member States of the Caribbean Community
Heads of International OrganisationsĀ
Hon. Ministers
Your Excellencies and other Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Our other Distinguished Special Guests
MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA ā The Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) signed an important Cooperation Agreement, July 4. The signing took place on the margins of the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of CARICOM Heads in Montego Bay, Jamaica, July 2 to 5. RNM Director-General, Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal and Dr. Chelston Braithwaite, Director-General of IICA, signed on behalf of the two organizations.
Governor General of Jamaica
Colleague Heads of Government
Your Excellency President of South Africa
Ministers of Government
Members of the Diplomatic Corp
Secretary General of the Caribbean Community
Excellences
Ladies and Gentlemen_
I am happy to be part of the formal opening today, of this 24th Meeting of the Conference of Heads in which we will celebrate one of the great moments for Caribbean Integration; our 30th anniversary of CARICOM.
At the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, Heads considered the request made to each Member State of the Community by the Government of the United States of America to enter into bilateral immunity or ānon-surrenderā agreements that exempt US nationals and other persons who have worked for the US Government from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The planned inauguration of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) later this year moved one step closer with CARICOM Heads of Government signing four instruments relating to the establishment and operation of the court.
MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA ā Caribbean Ministers with responsibility for trade met with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Zoellick and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Supachai Panitchapdi in Montego Bay, Jamaica on June 2 and 3, respectively, during the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, convened July 2 to 5. Both sessions were chaired by Chairman of COTED and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade of St. Kitts & Nevis, Hon. Sam Condor. Hon. K.D.
Your Excellencies the Governor General of Jamaica and the Most Hon. Lady Cooke
Our Host, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, and our current CARICOM Chairman, the Most Hon. P. J. Patterson
Your Excellencies, the Presidents of the Republic of South Africa and of the Republic of Chile
Distinguished Heads of State and Government of Member States and Associate Member States of the Caribbean Community
Heads of International Organisations
Hon. Ministers
Your Excellencies and other Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Most Honourable Percival J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chairman of the Caribbean Community,
Your Excellency Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa and Chairman of the African Union,
Colleague Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community,
Honourable Ministers of Governments, Members of Parliaments and other elected officials,
Secretaries-General Carrington, Gaviria, Girvan and McKinnon
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen_