Statements by Secretary-General
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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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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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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 Highlights Importance of Strong Public Financial Management at SPEM Certification Ceremony
“For small developing states, sustainability and resilience are two sides of the same coin. Extreme weather events, global economic downturns, and sudden disruptions can quickly overwhelm our fragile economic systems. Effective financial management allows governments to build fiscal buffers, mobilise domestic financing more effectively, and channel emergency funding where it is needed most, and to do so quickly and with…
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End of Year Message | CARICOM Secretary‑General: Building a Resilient and United Caribbean
Fellow CARICOM citizens, As we approach this festive season, we reflect on the challenges the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has faced during the year that have thrown our vulnerabilities into sharp relief, and more than ever, underscored the purpose and value of a united Region. On the heels of the devastation caused in several Member States by Hurricane Beryl in 2024,…
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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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CARICOM Secretary-General delivers remarks at AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum | 28 July 2025 |St George’s, Grenada
We need to bring focused intent on making our partnerships inclusiveand for our people to connect or re-connect for partnerships to thrive. CARICOM remains committed to work side by side with the African Union to ensure that the partnerships are broad based and include specifically young people and women. Her Excellency Dame Cécile La Grenade, Governor-General of Grenada Honourable Dickon…
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CARICOM Secretary-General delivers remarks at Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit | 23 July 2025
CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett delivered remarks at the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, today, in Georgetown, Guyana. According to the Secretary-General, “We have been making steady progress driven by some key partnerships, but attention is needed to address enforcement and governance. It is recognised that capacity building and funding for environmental protection and regulation agencies remain priorities, as well as…
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Remarks by CARICOM Secretary-General | Opening of the Draft CARICOM Ocean Policy and Governance – Member State Consultation | 22 July 2025 | Georgetown, Guyana
CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, delivered remarks at the Opening Ceremony for the Member State Consultation of the Draft CARICOM Ocean Policy and Governance, which began on 22 July at the Pegasus Business Centre, Georgetown Guyana. For CARICOM, the ocean is not merely a geographical feature, it goes to the essence of our identity, our culture and our survival. It…
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Remarks by CARICOM Secretary-General | Opening Ceremony – 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government | Montego Bay, Jamaica | 6 July 2025
Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); Honourable Mia Mottley, SC, MP, Prime Minister of Barbados and Outgoing Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government of CARICOM;…
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