COMMUNIQUE The Forty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held in...
Opening Ceremony
49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Closing Media Conference
49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Our Leaders
“CARICOM’s distinction as the oldest surviving integration movement among developing countries, is worthy of celebration and commendation. It is a reminder that we are stronger together, capable of overcoming adversity and achieving great progress.”
– Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, Chair
“The theme of the Conference, “People, Partnerships, Prosperity: Promoting a Secure and Sustainable Future” reflects CARICOM’s strategic focus on working collaboratively to ensure that future generations of our Region will be resilient and safe, and will thrive”.
– Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary-General, CARICOM
– Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary-General, CARICOM
Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP
Chair, CARICOM
Prime Minister, Jamaica
Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP
Outgoing Chair, CARICOM
Prime Minister, Barbados
Dr Carla Barnett
Secretary-General, CARICOM
Special Guests · 49th HGC
Mr. Valdecy Urquiza
Secretary General, International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL)
Valdecy Urquiza, a Brazilian Police Commissioner, was appointed as Secretary General of INTERPOL in November 2024. He has extensive experience in senior law enforcement roles at the national and international levels, having served as Director of International Cooperation for the Brazilian Federal Police.
From 2021 to 2024, Mr Urquiza served as Vice-President for the Americas on INTERPOL’s Executive Committee, chairing its Operational and Institutional Sub-Committee, and leading discussions on critical international policing matters.
As Assistant Director for Vulnerable Communities at the INTERPOL General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France, from 2018 to 2021, Mr Urquiza oversaw three key crime areas: crimes against children, human trafficking and migrant smuggling. On assuming office, Mr Urquiza said, “Together, we can build an INTERPOL that serves as a beacon of hope and security, standing shoulder to shoulder with every police force, in every country, to create a safer world for all.”
From 2021 to 2024, Mr Urquiza served as Vice-President for the Americas on INTERPOL’s Executive Committee, chairing its Operational and Institutional Sub-Committee, and leading discussions on critical international policing matters.
As Assistant Director for Vulnerable Communities at the INTERPOL General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France, from 2018 to 2021, Mr Urquiza oversaw three key crime areas: crimes against children, human trafficking and migrant smuggling. On assuming office, Mr Urquiza said, “Together, we can build an INTERPOL that serves as a beacon of hope and security, standing shoulder to shoulder with every police force, in every country, to create a safer world for all.”
H.E. Albert Ramdin
Secretary-General, Organization of American States
His Excellency Albert Ramdin was elected Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS) during the Fifty-sixth Special Session of the organization’s General Assembly on 10 March 2025. His election was historic as it marked the first time a representative from a CARICOM Member State was elected OAS Secretary General.
A former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname, Secretary-General Ramdin has extensive experience in public service, foreign policy and diplomacy. He is a former Assistant Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with responsibility for Foreign and Community Relations.
He has also held several high-level positions in the OAS, including Assistant Secretary General, Adviser to the Secretary General, and Suriname’s Permanent Representative to the organisation.
Secretary-General Ramdin studied in Paramaribo and in The Netherlands, at the University of Amsterdam and the Free University. His academic focus was on geography of developing countries with a specialisation in social and economic problems of smaller economies in Latin America and the Caribbean.
A former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname, Secretary-General Ramdin has extensive experience in public service, foreign policy and diplomacy. He is a former Assistant Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with responsibility for Foreign and Community Relations.
He has also held several high-level positions in the OAS, including Assistant Secretary General, Adviser to the Secretary General, and Suriname’s Permanent Representative to the organisation.
Secretary-General Ramdin studied in Paramaribo and in The Netherlands, at the University of Amsterdam and the Free University. His academic focus was on geography of developing countries with a specialisation in social and economic problems of smaller economies in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Programme of Events · 49th HGC
18th CARICOM Road Race
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Opening Ceremony
Montego Bay Convention Centre, Jamaica
Business Sessions
Montego Bay Convention Centre, Jamaica
Closing Media Conference (Hybrid)
Montego Bay Convention Centre, JamaicaView Photos & Videos on Demand!
Video Resources
Dr The Most Honourable Andrew Holness : Message to the Youth
Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, CARICOM Chair -CARICOM Day Message 2025
Updates
Keep up with the latest developments, announcements, and updates pre and post conference.
We, the Heads of Government of CARICOM, are profoundly distressed by the escalating and appalling situation in Gaza, now an...
We, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica from 6-8 July 2025, on...
For the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the impact of climate change is a reality and not academic, manifesting as a sobering...
“The proposed CARICOM Education Transformation Commission was also discussed. This is devised to drive a unified equity-based education reform agenda...
Chairman of CARICOM. Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, on Tuesday, 8 July, paid tribute to...
Faces and Voices of the Community
CARICOM officials and nationals share their insights on the upcoming 47th HGC, underscoring why citizens should tune in
Dr. Armstrong Alexis
CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General
Dr. Armstrong Alexis underscores the critical importance of the upcoming 47th Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government from 3-5 July 2024 in Grenada.
Linda Drakes
Officer-in-Charge of Conference Services, CARICOM Secretariat
Ms Linda Drakes explains the critical role her department plays in supporting the meetings of the Conference of Heads of Government.
Jennifer Britton
Deputy Programme Manager for Information and Communication Technology for Development
Ms Jennifer Britton highlights issues related to the digital agenda which Heads of Government are expected to discuss at their 47th Regular Meeting from 3-5 July 2024 in Grenada.
Anna Lisa Jones - Reis
Project Officer, CARICOM Secretariat
Ms Anna Lisa Jones Ries highlights some of the topics that may interest CARICOM nationals to tune into the upcoming meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government from 3-5 July 2024 in Grenada.