Statements and Declarations

At High-Level Meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti with Caribbean Partners

• Mister Chairman, H.E. Mr. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada;
• Colleague Heads of Government,
• Minister Victor Geneus, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
• H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
• Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community,
• Distinguished Ministers,
• Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning to you all!

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is gravely concerned by the continuing deterioration of the security situation and the social circumstances in the Republic of Haiti.

The continued breakdown in law and order, and its distressing effect on the people of Haiti, is intensifying. The fraught situation is exacerbated by the inability of the Haitian security forces to address the ongoing violence.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expresses its deep regrets at the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and Head of the Commonwealth which includes nine of our Member States, and all five of our Associate Members  due to their relation to the United Kingdom.

During her 70-year reign, Her Majesty’s commitment to service and devotion to duty was a sterling example to all. She was the one constant in a world of never-ending change.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM), HIS EXCELLENCY CHANDRIKAPERSAD SANTOKHI, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME, TO MARK CARICOM-AFRICA DAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2022

It is my distinct honour in my capacity as Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), to address the people and governments of CARICOM and Africa on the occasion of the observance of the First ever CARICOM-Africa Day. 

“The People of Trinidad and Tobago should be proud of their outstanding achievements, and of the indelible contributions to the Caribbean region and the world.” – CARICOM Secretary-General

CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, has extended “hearty congratulations” to the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago on the occasion of that country’s 60th independence anniversary on Wednesday, 31 August.

The First CARICOM-Africa Summit held on 7 September 2021, opened a new chapter in the deep-rooted and strong relations between CARICOM and Africa.  It set in motion various initiatives to further deepen and strengthen relations between the African continent and the Community.  In particular, the Leaders underscored the need to foster increased trade, investment, air travel, and maritime shipping links, with a view to realising greater economic integration and enhanced people-to-people contact between Africa and the Caribbean.

As the Lead Head for Community Development, Cultural Cooperation (including Culture, Gender, Youth, and Sport), and Industrial Policy, I feel compelled today, on International Youth Day 2022, to bring a message to my fellow CARICOM citizens. This year’s theme is “Inter-generational solidarity: Creating a world for all ages.”

In correspondence dated 26 July 2022, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis extended an invitation to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to mount an Election Observation Mission (CEOM) to observe General Elections in the country scheduled for 5 August 2022. In response to the invitation, a 4-member Mission has been mounted to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The CEOM is headed by the Chief of Mission, Mr. Sase R. Gunraj, Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Other members of the CEOM include: –

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is extremely saddened by the tragic loss of life at sea of a number of Haitians off the coast of The Bahamas on Sunday 24 July.

This latest disaster brings to the fore once again the desperate situation in Haiti and the reprehensible nature of the actions of those who are taking advantage of people trying to escape.

The Conference of Heads of Government and the entire Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are shocked and saddened by the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Japan, the Honourable Shinzo Abe.

Mr Abe is well remembered in our Community as in 2014 he became the first Prime Minister of Japan to visit the region and meet with our Heads of Government taking to a new level the political engagement between CARICOM and Japan.