Speeches
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Strengthening Health Systems, Saving Lives: CARICOM Secretary-General Calls for Bold Regional Action
At the opening of the Thirty-Seventh Special Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD)—Health (Tuesday, 21 April 2026 | Georgetown, Guyana), CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett highlighted progress in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and emergency preparedness, while stressing that the sustainability of the health workforce remains a pressing priority. Dr Barnett underscored the need to accelerate action…
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Secretary-General Barnett Urges Collaboration and Innovation to Harness Caribbean’s Energy Potential
“Energy unlocks development, but investment unlocks energy.”Dr Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General On 31 March Dr Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General, opened her keynote at Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2026 in Paramaribo by offering heartfelt condolences on the passing of former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, recalling his leadership during CARICOM’s pivotal meetings in 2022. Highlighting the CEW 2026 theme “Leveraging Energy Diversity…
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COTED-Environment Chair calls for integrated regional action to unlock climate and environmental financing
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – The importance of integrated approaches that address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution together, rather than in silos, was emphasised on Thursday 26 March, when Ministers of Environment and Sustainable Development from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) met in Georgetown, Guyana. Addressing the opening of the 124th Meeting of the Council for Trade and…
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Remarks by CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett | 124th Special Meeting of the COTED-Environment and Sustainable Development | 26 March 2026, Georgetown, Guyana
(Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Turkeyen, Georgetown, Guyana) – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is advancing coordinated regional actions on climate finance, ocean governance and biodiversity protection as Ministers and senior officials meet in Georgetown, Guyana for the One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) – Environment and Sustainable Development. Delivering the opening address,…
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Unity Without Uniformity: Holness Highlights CARICOM’s Strength in Diversity
Dr The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, Outgoing Chair of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Jamaica, reflected on the significance of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, which commenced on Tuesday in St Kitts and Nevis. He emphasized that anniversaries require honest reflection, noting: “The question before us, therefore, is not whether…
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Youth Ambassadors Call for Bold Action at CARICOM’s 50th Heads of Government Meeting
At the Opening Ceremony of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government (Tuesday, 24 February), St. Kitts and Nevis CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Aquanjé Robinson and Siobhan Phipps-Harding delivered powerful welcome remarks. Phipps-Harding emphasised the pride of hosting the Meeting, declaring: “May you feel, from this very moment, the genuine hospitality, pride, and warmth of the…
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Remarks | Dr Carla Barnett | CARICOM Secretary-General | Opening Ceremony -50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government | St Kitts and Nevis | 24 February 2026
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I will adopt the protocols already established for this afternoon’s proceedings, but would still like to acknowledge: Your Excellency Dame Marcella A. Liburd, GCMG, JP, Governor-General of St. Kitts and Nevis; The Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); Other Heads of…
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CARICOM Secretary-General welcomes new Ambassador of Sweden to CARICOM
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett on Tuesday 3 February accredited Her Excellency Maria Velasco, new Ambassador of Sweden to CARICOM during a virtual ceremony anchored at the Georgetown, Guyana Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat.In accepting Ambassador Velasco’s Letters of Credence, Secretary-General Barnett noted the long-standing relationship between CARICOM and Sweden,…
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Remarks by Dr Carla Barnett at the opening of the 24th Special COFCOR
The ongoing insecurity and humanitarian crisis in Haiti continue to receive our priority attention. We will use this opportunity to discuss the Community’s efforts to support the restoration of security, stability, and recovery in Haiti, in the context of new initiatives by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the UN Security Council (UNSC), which have received some input from…
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Remarks | Dr Carla Barnett | CARICOM Secretary-General | Opening Ceremony | CARIFESTA XV
Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of CARICOM, delivered a speech at the Opening Ceremony of CARIFESTA XV. You can read her full remarks below. Salutations. What a significant moment for all of us who have gathered in beautiful Barbados, for the Caribbean’s cultural extravaganza, CARIFESTA XV! I extend very warm greetings to everyone, both here at Queen’s Park, and those watching…
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