CARICOM Secretary General

Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from 15 August 2021

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

The Caribbean Organisation of Tax Administrators (COTA) is meeting in Georgetown 🇬🇾 for the 27th General Assembly and Technical Conference. COTA is one of the Region's principal vehicles for regional engagement. https://t.co/B7vyM2mQti

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

Immediately following the 51st Regular Meeting in Saint Lucia, my official duties took me to Belize, where I was the keynote speaker at the commencement ceremony for Galen University's Class of 2026.

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

Effective today, 7 July, French Guiana is an Associate Member of #CARICOM

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

The inaugural CARICOM Youth Forum was held on the margins of the 51st Regular Meeting🇱🇨. The forum discussed "Youth Solutions for the Future".
Discussions centred on two themes - Youth Voice, Identity, Safety and Participation, and Regional Mobility, Economic Opportunity and Skills

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

"To move “from resilience to renewal”, as this Meeting’s theme urges, requires active recognition that as architects of this Region’s future, we should work, in unison, to shape our own destiny, on our own terms". This was one of my main points as I addressed the opening ceremony of the 51st Regular Meeting of #CARICOM Heads of Government in Saint Lucia 🇱🇨#51HGC

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

We welcome Martinique as the 7th Associate Member of #CARICOM, effective 16 June 2026.

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

The 19th CARICOM Run/Walk took place this morning in Saint Lucia ahead of the 51st Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government. This annual event underscores that healthier lifestyles promote more productive economies and more resilient societies. Participants ranged in age from 5 - 72 years old! Congratulations to all! #51HGC

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

Happy #CARICOM Day (July 4) to everyone across our Community!
May this Anniversary inspire renewed confidence in the enduring value of regional unity and interdependence.

https://t.co/Nr2zb27YEn

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

Hon Philip J Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, is now the Chair of #CARICOM from 1 July - 31 December 2026 @SaintLuciaGov

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

On Friday 26 June, we warmly welcomed the Prime Minister of Jamaica @AndrewHolnessJM for his first visit to the Secretariat 🇯🇲. He addressed staff members, underscoring Jamaica's commitment to #CARICOM and the central role CARICOM plays in regional development.

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

24 June is marked annually as International Day for Women in Diplomacy. The Secretariat welcomed 12 Guyanese young women for an engaging discussion on professional life as a diplomat. Also present were the High Commissioner of Belize to Guyana, Her Excellency Gale Miller-Garnett, and Executive Director, The Imperial House, Mr. Wasim Khan, organiser of the initiative.

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

The 62nd Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) opened on Thursday 11 June at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown 🇬🇾. In remarks as the meeting opened, I noted that #CARICOM's resilience is being tested, and safeguarding our trade and economic development agenda requires strategic, coordinated and focused efforts. The COTED oversees operations of the CSME.
https://t.co/NfnFGldGA3

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

I had a meaningful exchange with Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture @IICAnews, when he visited the Secretariat 🇬🇾 on Tuesday 9 June. We discussed CARICOM's ongoing efforts to reduce the Region's food import bill, and the role for enhanced cooperation, youth-focused programmes, and improved transportation links in achieving sustainable food production.

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

World Environment Day 2026 @UNFCCC is being marked under the theme: "Now for Climate, Accelerating the Transition to a Sustainable Future". Read my message here: https://t.co/cG82xEt10f

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

As Guyana 🇬🇾 celebrates this historic milestone today, #CARICOM extends its best wishes for the nation’s continued progress, sustainable prosperity, and the enduring well-being of its people.

[CARICOM: Caribbean Community @CARICOMorg]

On the margins of the Twenty-Ninth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) in Paramaribo, Suriname, 20-21 May, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Carla Barnett engaged with Third States to advance key foreign policy priorities and strengthen strategic partnerships in support of the Region’s development agenda.

On 20 May, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett held productive discussions with H.E. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore. The exchange focused on opportunities for development cooperation and partnership, the importance of the rule of law, the far-reaching impacts of climate change, and the evolving geopolitical environment. These discussions reflected CARICOM’s ongoing commitment to deepening collaboration with international partners on matters of mutual interest and shared global concern.

Today, 21 May, Secretary-General Dr Barnett met with Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Arfiya Eri, for discussions on peace and stability, reform of the United Nations Security Council, the strengthening of CARICOM–Japan relations, and support for political stability in Haiti. The engagement underscored CARICOM’s consistent advocacy for a more inclusive and responsive international system, as well as its determination to work with trusted partners to promote stability, sustainable development, and the well-being of the people of the Caribbean Community.

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

At the 29th meeting of the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) now underway in Suriname 🇸🇷, I underscored that over the years, our ability to coordinate foreign policy positions demonstrates that the Community remains a most effective means of navigating an unpredictable global landscape.
https://t.co/9Y1p1IBieJ

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

On Mon 4 May, I accepted a Letter of Credence accrediting His Excellency Joseph Fisher, MBE, as UK Ambassador to CARICOM. We exchanged views on our historical relationship and priorities for ongoing engagement.

[CARICOM Secretary General @SG_CARICOM]

I was pleased to sit and exchange views with the Prime Minister of #Jamaica @AndrewHolnessJM on Mon 27 April. We reflected on the life and service of the late former CARICOM Secretary-General, the Hon Roderick Rainford, who served during a turbulent time in CARICOM's history. We agreed that despite current challenges, CARICOM remains strong, and that discussions and unity can help to address difficulties.

[Andrew Holness @AndrewHolnessJM]

I was pleased to welcome CARICOM Secretary-General, Carla Barnett, to Jamaica.

Her visit comes at a time of reflection, as she pays tribute to former Secretary-General, Roderick Rainford. We honour his dedicated service and lasting contribution to Caribbean integration.

In our discussions, we reflected on the importance of continued collaboration and solidarity, particularly as we navigate evolving global challenges.

Jamaica remains committed to strengthening CARICOM and advancing the shared interests of our region.