PORT OF SPAIN: 16TH APRIL, 2021
The Thirteenth Special Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers was held yesterday, 14 April 2021 under the chairmanship of Senator the Honourable Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, to determine the procedure for the appointment of the new Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
As the second highest Organ within CARICOM and comprised of Ministers with responsibility for CARICOM affairs, the Community Council is charged with the development of Community strategic planning and coordination in the areas of economic integration, functional cooperation and external relations.
The Thirteenth Special Meeting was held in accordance with a mandate given at the Thirty-Second Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government which was convened via Videoconference on 24-25 February 2021 under the chairmanship of Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
The role of Secretary General of CARICOM is an important one, serving as an implementing agent toward the realization of the vision of a fully integrated, harmonious and developed Caribbean Community. The incoming Secretary General will also play a critical role in charting the way forward for the region to navigate its way through current and future challenges like those arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
The recruitment process for the appointment is expected to be completed in early May and the new Secretary-General should assume office shortly thereafter.
Member States present at the Meeting also took the opportunity to express their solidarity with the Government and People of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in light of the current challenges brought on by the ongoing explosive eruption of La Soufriere volcano.
