CARICOM

Opening Ceremony
48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Closing Media Conference
48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

Our Leaders

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“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
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“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

Meet the Speakers | Opening Ceremony | 6 July, 2025

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Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP

Chair, CARICOM
Prime Minister, Jamaica

PM Barbados Repl1

Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP

Outgoing Chair, CARICOM
Prime Minister, Barbados

SG Meet the Speakers 48 HGCP

Dr Carla Barnett

Secretary-General, CARICOM

Andrew-Holness-11x14-Official-400x500

Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP

Chair, CARICOM
Prime Minister, Jamaica

PM Barbados Repl1

Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP

Outgoing Chair, CARICOM
Prime Minister, Barbados

The Honourable Kamla Persad Bissessar SC Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP

Prime Minister, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

SG Meet the Speakers 48 HGCP

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.”

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.

Programme of Events · 49th HGC

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Video Resources

Dr The Most Honourable Andrew Holness : Message to the Youth

Sign up for the 18th CARICOM Road Races!

Keep up with the latest developments, announcements, and updates pre and post conference.

Faces and Voices of the Community

CARICOM officials and nationals share their insights on the upcoming 47th HGC, underscoring why citizens should tune in
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.