CARICOM Heads of Government held their 43rd Regular Meeting in Paramaribo, Suriname from July 3rd to 5th 2022. Trinidad and Tobago’s delegation was led by Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Heads of Government took several decisions for the benefit and advancement of the development of the Caribbean Community, including the following:
ORDER OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (OCC)
Mr. David Michael Rudder was announced as a recipient of the Order of theCaribbean Community (OCC) based upon the recommendation, approved by the Cabinet of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, submitted to CARICOM Heads of Government. Trinidad and Tobago will bestow the OCC upon Mr. Rudder in the near future in Trinidad and Tobago. Other recipients were Dame Billie Miller, former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados (the award was received on her behalf by the Foreign Minister of Barbados); Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, former CARICOM Secretary-General; and Sir Vivian Richards, former cricketer.
ADVANCING THE CARICOM AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS AGENDA
Heads of Government endorsed the hosting of the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo II in Trinidad and Tobago from August 19th-21st 2022.
ENERGY SECURITY
Heads of Government called for the adjustment or removal of sanctions targeting Venezuela to specifically allow for bringing to market the cross-border gas between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago and to allow for the resumption of some aspects of the Petrocaribe initiative.
HEALTH: COVID-19
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) was commended for its continued, steadfast and committed response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
REPARATIONS
Heads of Government agreed to work with the African Union and the Government of India to advance the issue of Reparations for the damage done by slavery and the exploitation of native cultures.
SECURITY
There was commitment among Heads of Government for the hosting of a meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government on the issue of Crime and Violence as a Public Health issue as soon as possible.
TRANSPORTATION
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) was requested by Heads of Government to commence a feasibility study aimed at transporting agricultural produce between Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Grenada and Barbados in the first instance.
The Communiqué issued at end of the Meeting may be viewed at:
Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affair
