ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government are on island this week to look at issues affecting the Caribbean Community and to plot the path for the next five years.
The occasion is the 35th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of the Caribbean Community, which will run from July 1-4.
Ambassador Dr Clarence Henry said the meeting is a significant event.
“This is historic, because it is the first Strategic Development plan that the community has elaborated, which will establish strategic priorities to guide the development thrust of the region for the period of 2015-2019,” the ambassador said.
The Strategic Development Plan addresses economic, social, environmental and technological resilience among other issues.
The community council of ministers will meet today at 9:30 am at Sandals Grande. On July 1 the Heads of Government Meeting will commence with an opening ceremony at 5 pm followed by cocktails. Secretary General of Caricom Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, outgoing Chairman of Caricom Dr Ralph Gonsalves and Chairman Gaston Browne will address the opening.
On July 2, the prime minister will chair the first plenary (business session) at 9 am. At 12:45 pm a consultation with 15 chief executive officers, from around the region, representing large private sector entities, will be held with Caricom Heads.
The day continues with an exchange with specially invited guests; Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy Brey, Foreign Minister of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parilla and Secretary General of the Organisation of American States Jose Miguel Insulza.
On July 3, the Heads will go into Caucus at Blue Waters Resort to look at the “Extremely Critical Issues Confronting the Region as a grouping,” where Ambassador Henry said the five – year plan will be considered and hopefully approved.
Friday July 4 is Caricom Day and in commemoration of the event there will be a flag raising ceremony at Sandals Grande at 9 am.
The final day will be the continuation of the plenary with the Heads and other delegations meeting.
Another notable mention will be the playing of a song celebrating Caricom, which will be sung by the writer Michele Henderson, on the first day of three-day session.
