Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica--Prime Minister (PM) Gaston Browne is leading Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation at the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community CARICOM, being held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from July 6 to 8. The Conference is being chaired by Dr. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica.
PM Browne is joined by a senior delegation including Chet Greene, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Trade; Dr. Clarence Henry, Ambassador to CARICOM; and Kurt Williams, Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The conference brings together regional leaders to tackle a comprehensive agenda that reflects the shared challenges and opportunities facing CARICOM Member States. The deliberations are focused on enhancing regional integration, addressing the climate crisis, strengthening economic and food security, advancing youth participation and deepening international partnerships.
One of the key agenda items is the continued implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Leaders will consider new mechanisms for enhanced cooperation, particularly in relation to free movement of skilled nationals, and address the recognition of aviation professionals under the skilled labour regime – a recommendation previously supported by Antigua and Barbuda and viewed as vital for regional connectivity and growth.
Browne has consistently called for greater functionality within the CSME, emphasising the importance of reducing bureaucratic barriers and enabling the full participation of smaller economies.
As a strong voice on climate justice and global financial reform, Browne is expected to play a leading role in discussions related to climate resilience and financing for development, particularly for small island developing states.
The Conference will examine the Revised Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change (2025-2035), a strategy developed to align regional actions with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Framework outlines 11 strategic pillars aimed at fortifying the region’s defences against climate-related risks.
With climate conference COP30 in Belém, Brazil, on the horizon, CARICOM will also chart its roadmap for coordinated engagement in global climate negotiations. Prime Minister Browne is expected to reinforce the call for the adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index and for greater access to concessional financing through mechanisms such as the Debt Sustainability Support Service – an initiative launched under his leadership during the 2024 SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda.
The CARICOM Conference will also assess progress on the 25 by 2025 initiative, which aims to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25% by the year 2025. Updates from the Special Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security will inform decisions on extending the programme through 2030, focusing not only on import reduction but also on value-added agricultural production and intra-regional trade.
Antigua and Barbuda is particularly invested in ensuring that food and nutrition security strategies also contribute to rural economic development and resilience to climate shocks.
In addition, heads of government will discuss the dire humanitarian and security situation in Haiti, reviewing progress made by the Transitional Presidential Council and the Multinational Security Support Mission. The region will also consider CARICOM’s continued role in international advocacy, including efforts by the Eminent Persons Group.
Meanwhile, a security update from the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security CARICOM IMPACS will inform conversations around transnational crime and justice, while a new Regional Telecommunications Strategy will be discussed to address equitable contributions from over-the-top digital service providers, such as streaming and social media platforms.
Leaders will also consider proposals for enhanced governance of the CARICOM Secretariat, including new funding models and possible steps toward greater supranational authority in decision-making – a long-standing issue that Antigua and Barbuda has signalled support for in the context of regional efficiency.
In addition, a dedicated session will be held on the enhanced role of youth in regional development. The findings of regional youth consultations, spearheaded by the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme, will be presented with the aim of shaping youth-inclusive policies moving forward.
Additionally, CARICOM leaders will receive an update on the CARICOM Education Transformation Commission, established to modernise and harmonise education systems across the region. PM Browne has previously advocated for reforms that link education more closely with economic opportunity and digital transformation.
CARICOM heads will also consider updates on applications for Associate Membership from Colombia, the Dominican Republic and French Guiana. The discussions will also explore the feasibility and strategic value of Community enlargement, taking into account geopolitical, trade and human rights implications.
Meanwhile, the Conference will receive a progress report on CARIFESTA XV, scheduled to be held in Barbados in August 2025 under the theme “Caribbean Roots – Global Excellence”. The region’s premier cultural showcase will highlight the depth and diversity of Caribbean creative industries.
Throughout the Conference, Browne is expected to hold bilateral discussions with fellow heads of government, regional institutions and international partners, further strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s role as a proactive and influential member of CARICOM.
Before leaving Antigua on Saturday, Browne said that the government of Antigua and Barbuda remains firmly committed to advancing regional unity, resilience and prosperity, and to ensuring that CARICOM delivers practical solutions to the challenges facing Caribbean people today. ~ Antigua News Room ~
