BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS St. Kitts and Nevis joins the wider Caribbean in commemorating CARICOM Day today (July 3), Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett has highlighted the regional bloc’s achievements, resilience, and future priorities as it marks its 52nd anniversary.
In her CARICOM Day message, Dr. Barnett noted the Community’s progress over the decades and paid tribute to the legacy of its founding leaders.
"Today, on CARICOM Day 2025, we pause to reflect on our journey as a Region united by a shared history, culture, and vision for the future," she said. "In this our 52nd year, we applaud our achievement as the oldest surviving integration movement in the world. We reflect on the legacy and accomplishments of past leaders of our Community, on whose foundation we continue to forge our path to progress and peace.”
Dr. Barnett emphasized the spirit of regional solidarity, especially in times of crisis. She referenced the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and their dependencies, noting the increasing challenges posed by climate change and global instability.
"The past year has truly tested the Community. In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl and other climate change-related impacts, recovery and development have been made more difficult by rapidly changing trade and tariff policies, as well as military incursions in several arenas," she stated. "Here in CARICOM, the prolonged and horrifying situation in Haiti has been front of mind on national and regional agendas,"
Despite these difficulties, Dr. Barnett praised the Community’s commitment to shared values and coordinated action, which she said continue to be key to its success.
"In times of challenge and change, our safeguard has been our commitment to collective action on the basis of fundamental principles and values, including democracy, rule of law and human rights," she said. "This has stood us in good stead in practical ways, such as joint initiatives in health most recently exemplified by our collaboration to address the COVID-19 pandemic, programmes to strengthen food and nutrition security by expanding agricultural investment and food production, and efforts to amplify our voice on climate change and climate finance.
Looking ahead, the SG noted that CARICOM Heads of Government will gather in Montego Bay, Jamaica, for the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference, where key topics on the agenda include citizen security, advancing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and shaping trade strategies to improve the quality of life across the region.
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