Grenada: During the opening ceremony of 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM at the St. George’s University, Grenada, Curaçao has joined CARICOM as the 6th member.
Sharing the information Prime Minister and the CARICOM chairman Dickon Mitchell noted “welcome Curaçao on its admission to CARICOM as the sixth Associate Member.”
The Dutch Caribbean Island of Curacao became the newest associate member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). CARICOM is a bloc that promotes economic integration and cooperation across a region of largely small island developing states.
Additionally, Gilmar Pisas, Prime Minister of Curaçao while in his address at the meeting stated, “On behalf of people and government of Curaçao, I hereby wish to extend our best wishes for the continued advancement and prosperity of the CARICOM” and signed on the agreement with the chair Dickon Mitchell.
At the meeting the leaders are set to discuss issues such as the growing impact of climate change, food and nutrition security and sustainable developments. Several regional issues will be addressed and the opportunities will be discussed.
The meeting began with remarks from Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali, the President of Guyana and the outgoing chairman of CARICOM. He has handed over the chairmanship to PM Dickon Mitchell.
Further, Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett at the Opening Ceremony addressed the leaders and stated “My hope is that we will rise from this 47th Meeting more aware of our potential, more confident of our strength and more focused on the tangible outputs- food, health, shelter, education, social interactions and social justice that will ensure the development and prosperity of our Caribbean Community.”
Also Chair and Prime Minister of Grenada, the Dickon Mitchell delivered the Keynote address, while sharing the impact of Hurricane Beryl on the Spice Island of Caribbean, he shared that Dr. Irfaan Ali and Dr. Carla Barnett visited the site that has been damaged due to the Hurricane Beryl that hit the island on July 1.
It is to be noted that the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the CARICOM is currently taking place in Grenada and will conclude on 30 June.
