Timothy Austin
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CARICOM and Colombia negotiate to expand South-South cooperation
CARICOM and Colombia trade negotiators concluded the second round of negotiations to update the CARICOM-Colombia Trade and Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (TECA), in Bogota, Colombia on 10 September 2025. The negotiations, which took place over two days, covered the expansion of preferential market access for agricultural and industrial products as well as institutional issues. The CARICOM negotiating Co Chair,…
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Message | Dr Carla Barnett | Secretary-General, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) | Caribbean Wellness Day | 13 September 2025
Even as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) makes progress in advancing sustainable development, we face the continuing and costly challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes remain the leading causes of illness and death across our Region. Lifestyle factors, such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption, erode the health of our people,…
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CARICOM Secretary-General Calls for Strengthened Health Collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean
“Health has long been a central focus of the regional development agenda in CARICOM. Guided by the Caribbean Cooperation in Health (CCH) framework, now in its fourth iteration, our Governments have collectively identified and continue to address priority health concerns that affect the people of the Caribbean Community. The Caribbean Cooperation in Health framework has provided the platform for aligning…
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Literary Legend takes centre stage at CARIFESTA XV: Paul Keens-Douglas
Literary legend and cultural icon Paul Keens-Douglas captivated a new generation of storytellers at CARIFESTA XV with his transformative workshop, Vibrant Roots Storytelling Workshop, held on Tuesday, 26 August at the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre. With a legacy spanning decades and works such as Tim Tim: The Dialect Poetry of Paul Keens-Douglas (1976) and Tanti At De Oval: Selected Works,…
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One Caribbean, Many Voices: CARIFESTA XV Closes with a Resounding Celebration of Unity, Culture, and Creative Excellence
“The Community is deeply grateful for the warm hospitality of the Government and people of Barbados, and for the tremendous efforts of the host country in organising this Festival. On behalf of the Region, I congratulate and thank Prime Minister Mia Mottley, your Cabinet, and the hardworking Host Country Management Committee, for creating this excellent space where the theme “Caribbean…
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CARIFESTA XV Ignites Momentum for CARICOM Reparations Movement with “Big Conversation”
On Wednesday, 27 August, the CARICOM reparations movement took centre stage at CARIFESTA XV with a landmark event titled “Big Conversations | Righting Wrongs: CARICOM’s Call for Reparations, Justice and Healing.” Held at the iconic Queen’s Park Esplanade, the gathering marked a pivotal moment in the Region’s ongoing pursuit of reparatory justice and historical reckoning and underscored CARICOM’s commitment to international…
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CARIFESTA XV Grand Market Shines with Caribbean Ingenuity and Sustainable Spirit
Sustainability theme reflected in local products at Grand Market Under the powerful theme “Caribbean Roots, Global Excellence,” CARIFESTA XV ignites a celebration of heritage, creativity, and forward-thinking resilience. Nowhere is this vision more vividly expressed than at the Grand Market, where regional artisans and innovators showcase products that honour tradition while embracing sustainability. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with…
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Secretary-General Barnett highlights CARICOM’s New Pathways for Youth Leadership at CARIFESTA XV Youth Village
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is charting bold new territory in youth engagement with transformative strategies to empower the next generation of Caribbean leaders. During a visit to the CARIFESTA XV Youth Village on Monday 25 August, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett reaffirmed the Community’s commitment to placing young voices at the heart of regional development. With the theme “Caribbean Roots.…
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CARIFESTA XV Ignites the Creative and Entrepreneurial Spirit across the Caribbean
CARIFESTA XV is more than a celebration of Caribbean culture. It is a powerful catalyst for economic prosperity and creative resilience. In an exchange with CARICOM Secretariat Communications Manager Dike Noel, Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett affirms the festival’s vital role in shaping a brighter future for Caribbean entrepreneurs. “CARIFESTA creates lasting opportunities that empower entrepreneurs and contribute to their long-term…
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CARIFESTA XV Opens in Barbados with a Spectacular Celebration of Caribbean Culture
The vibrant spirit of Caribbean culture came alive on Friday 22 August at Queen’s Park, in Bridgetown, Barbados, as the Opening Ceremony of CARIFESTA XV marked the triumphant return of the Region’s premier arts festival. After an extended hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) is back, bringing together artists, cultural leaders, and enthusiasts from…
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