Caribbean Trade Law and Development

Tag: CARICOM

  • EVENT: Optimising the Canada-CARICOM Trade Relationship – Thursday, June 29

    EVENT: Optimising the Canada-CARICOM Trade Relationship – Thursday, June 29

    The CIC National Capital Branch Latin America and Caribbean Study Group, and the Canada Caribbean Institute invite you to a virtual discussion on

    Optimizing the Canada-CARICOM trade relationship

    Thursday, June 29, 2023, 10 am to 1 pm

    Canada and CARICOM are working to define a forward-looking bilateral cooperation agenda. While trade has been an important part of the relationship for many years, recent trade and investment flows have seen a decline. Can enhanced trade relationships contribute to the forward bilateral cooperation agenda? And if so, how can this best be achieved?

    The Canada International Council Latin America and Caribbean Study Group and the Canada Caribbean Institute are pleased to host a panel on Optimizing the Canada CARICOM trade relationship. The panel will feature several exporters and investors outlining their experiences and lessons in the market. The main trade promotion and facilitation agencies from the two sides will set out their programs and experiences in seeking to expand bilateral trade. Finally, the panel will feature a discussion of the current “government to government” trade arrangements and whether these are appropriate going forward.

    The moderators of this event will produce a short summary of proceedings to share with attendees and others following the event.

    REGISTRATION FOR EVENT

    The registration link is the following: Optimizing the Canada-CARICOM Trade Relationship Tickets, Thu, Jun 29, 2023 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

    Note that several days before the event all registrants will receive an email with the actual Zoom link.

  • Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to be amended to regulate M&A activity in CSME

    Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to be amended to regulate M&A activity in CSME

    Photo credit: CARICOM Secretariat

    Alicia Nicholls

    Competition policy within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), particularly the need for merger control regulation, was one of the major items discussed at the recently held Forty-Fourth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in the Bahamas last week (February 15-17, 2023).

    The lengthy communique issued from the meeting revealed a packed agenda. Of interest to this author, of course, were the components dealing with continuing the consolidation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), especially because July this year will mark the regional grouping’s fiftieth anniversary.

    Heads agreed that the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) would be amended to provide for the regulation of mergers and acquisitions in the CSME. This would be done on the basis of an approved Community Policy. They agreed that Member States should complete their internal consultations and approval processes on the Draft Policy on Mergers and Acquisitions in the CSME in time for the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to consider and approve the Policy in April 2023.

    The CARICOM Competition Regime, as elaborated in Chapter 8 of the RTC, presently has three objectives (1) the promotion and maintenance of competition and enhancement of economic efficiency in production, trade and commerce, (2) the prohibition of anti-competitive business conduct which prevents, restricts or distorts competition or which constitutes the abuse of a dominant position in the market; and (3) the promotion of consumer welfare and protection of consumer interests. The Suriname-based CARICOM Competition Commission, along with the national commissions, is therefore a key institution for the functioning of a competitive CSME which is not harmed by anti-competitive conduct by businesses. However, currently, the CARICOM Competition Regime only regulates cross-border anti-competitive business conduct and the abuse of a dominant position. It does not deal with merger control regulation, which is the third aspect of competition policy. The Heads were also updated on the progress towards creating a dual role for the CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) at the national and regional levels.

    Asides from competition policy, the subject of progress towards completing the Draft Policy on a Regional Capital Market was also discussed. The Heads “called upon the Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP) and the Legal Affairs Committee to take the necessary action to ensure that the infrastructure for the regional capital market is largely in place within eighteen (18) months”.

    They also supported COFAP’s decision to amend the Intra-CARICOM Double Taxation Agreement (ICDTA), through a Protocol on Treaty Shopping and Exchange of Information. Other topics discussed included advancing the CARICOM Agri-food systems agenda, the 50th anniversary celebrations, Afri-Exim Bank, the Bridgetown Initiative, Climate Change and Climate Finance, among others.

    The full communique may be accessed here.

    Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B. is an international trade and development consultant and the founder of the Caribbean Trade Law and Development Blog http://www.caribbeantradelaw.com.

  • Assessing the Ninth Summit of the Americas: A Caribbean Perspective

    Assessing the Ninth Summit of the Americas: A Caribbean Perspective

    Alicia Nicholls

    Twenty-three heads of government and the representatives of eight other countries of the Americas gathered in Los Angeles, California, United States (US) on June 6-10, 2022 for the Ninth Summit of the Americas (CRS 2022). It was the first time the US has hosted since the inaugural 1994 Summit in Miami, Florida. The Summit of the Americas is a hemispheric summit at which leaders of the Americas gather every three years to discuss cooperation on issues of hemispheric importance. The Summit has also been the setting against which US Presidents have tended to launch major Caribbean-specific partnership initiatives, such as the Third Border Initiative (TBI) revealed by President George W. Bush at the Third Summit of the Americas in 2001 and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) announced by President Barack Obama at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in 2009.

    The 2022 Summit outcomes have elicited differentiated reactions from commentators depending on their success metrics. Those focusing on a geopolitical perspective have generally panned it as a diplomatic failure for the Biden Administration (Norton 2022), a squandered opportunity (Newman 2022) and a sign of America’s declining hemispheric influence (Barry 2022).

    This article assesses the summit from a Caribbean perspective. Specifically, it looks at to what extent do the Summit’s outcomes provide meaningful initiatives for deepening US-Caribbean partnership on issues of importance to the Caribbean and in a mutually beneficial way. It is argued that while not particularly groundbreaking, there are some noteworthy outcomes from the Summit. However, the success of the initiatives announced will be dependent on several factors discussed in this article.

    The Controversy

    The Ninth Summit was postponed by one year due to the on-going novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Summit’s theme “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future” recognizes the numerous challenges facing countries in the hemisphere, chief of which include climate change, COVID-19 and the economic fall-out from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the consequent escalated Western sanctions on Russia.  

    The lead up to the Summit stimulated an inordinate amount of controversy not so much for its agenda, but US President Joseph Biden’s refusal to invite the leaders of three countries – Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela – which the US regards as authoritarian. This exclusionary policy sparked a backlash as several countries threatened to boycott the Summit. Some leaders, including most notably Mexico’s President Lopez Obrador, decided not to attend and instead sent lower-level delegations.

    Caribbean country leaders also expressed misgivings about this exclusionary policy both privately and in their speeches. In fact, CARICOM Heads in the communique emanating from their recently held 43rd Regular Meeting emphasised “the importance of an inclusive Summit with the full participation of all countries of the Americas”.

    The Outcomes

    Ultimately, St Vincent & the Grenadines was the only CARICOM Member which boycotted the conference. A total CARICOM boycott would not have been in the region’s best interest as the Summit provided an opportune forum in which Caribbean leaders could meet face to face with US leadership to ventilate and obtain high-level commitments on issues of specific interest to Caribbean States. Generally speaking, topics of specific interest to the Caribbean rarely make it on the agenda of these Summits and in this case, the Ninth Summit was an exception. In his op-ed after the Summit, Antigua & Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US, Sir Ronald Sanders, noted that Caribbean leaders (including the Dominican Republic) were successful in their insistence on meeting not just with the Vice President Kamala Harris, as was originally planned, but with President Biden himself. This meeting, according to Sir Ronald, was very productive and CARICOM Heads in their communique also welcomed the exchange with the US President to address some of their concerns. The read-out from the meeting referenced the proposed launch of a Caribbean Zero Hunger Plan to promote nutrition security in the Caribbean, while President Biden has also pledged US$28 million in new food security assistance to the region.

    It was, therefore, interesting that CARICOM Heads of Government also expressed concern that the outcome of the Summit “did not adequately reflect issues of significance to the Community”. These issues, they noted, include post-pandemic recovery, climate financing, debt and debt financing, energy and food security, access to financing and firearms entering the CARICOM Region. It could be that this statement in their communique was meant to reiterate that while Caribbean leaders are happy with the opportunity to raise these issues, they want to ensure there is meaningful follow-up action.

    Indeed, one particular area in dire need of action and which was raised in the bilateral meeting between Caribbean leaders and the US President and Vice President is the illegal flow of firearms into the Caribbean from the US. While Caribbean countries do not manufacture guns and have strict laws on gun ownership, the flow of illegal firearms into the region, particularly from the US, remains a driver for the escalating gun violence and crime plaguing Caribbean states. The readout from the joint meeting reveals a disappointingly limited and vague approach which simply proposes the development of national action plans to counter firearms trafficking and which would “help the US more effectively tailor support to CARICOM Member Countries”.

    The outcomes of the Summit consist of several declarations and statements touching principally on areas of health, climate change, economic recovery, governance and migration. For example, leaders agreed to reach consensus on an Action Plan for Health and Resilience in the Americas to be implemented by 2030.

    Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection

    The most detailed outcome, and likely because illegal immigration is a ‘hot button’ topic in the US, is the negotiated side agreement called the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration. Over 100 million people have been forcibly displaced globally with one in every 78 people on earth being a displaced person, according to the UNHCR.  In this hemisphere alone, for example, over 6 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants have fled the political and economic turmoil in their homeland and some 80% of them have settled in countries in the LAC region, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Trinidad & Tobago, which is at its nearest is just 11km from the Venezuelan mainland, has up to January 2022 been host to some 28,500 Venezuelan migrants. Data from the Government of Panama estimates that 130,000 migrants passed through the highly dangerous Darien Gap in 2021 on their way to the US and many were asylum seekers from Haiti and Cuba. Therefore, the decision to exclude Cuba, which is one of the largest sources of irregular emigration to the US, was a short-sighted one on the Biden administration’s part as solving the migration crisis would also require cooperation with the Cuban government.

    The Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection recognises that irregular migration is a hemisphere-wide problem and tackling it should be the shared responsibility of source, transit and destination countries and solving the crisis also involves addressing the root causes or push factors which lead people to emigrate. Under the agreement, both the US and several other countries adopted specific commitments to ensuring legal pathways for immigration and fostering greater protections for migrants. However, only twenty countries have signed the Declaration so far and of those from CARICOM are Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica and Haiti. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, when asked about only twenty countries signing on so far, was confident that more countries would sign on.

    Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP)

    The Summit’s main economic initiative, the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, is the sister plan to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) President Biden launched at a meeting of a dozen initial partners in the Indo-Pacific region in Tokyo Japan in May 2022. The five-pronged APEP framework would be based on reinvigorating regional economic institutions and mobilizing investment, making more resilient supply chains, updating the basic bargain, creating clean energy jobs and advancing decarbonization and biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable and inclusive trade. Many of these pillars are in consonance with the goals outlined under the prosperity pillar of the US Strategy for Engagement in the Caribbean formulated pursuant to the US-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016, a legacy of the Obama Administration of which President Biden was then Vice President. However, the APEP consists primarily of aspirational goals rather than binding commitments, and is disappointingly vague with little specifics on timelines and how these goals would be achieved.

    U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030)

    Perhaps the most substantive outcome for the Caribbean was the Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030) launched by Vice President Kamala Harris. PACC 2030 recognises that Caribbean small States are at the frontlines of the adverse impacts of climate change and the need for the region to build resilience as the adverse effects of global warming accelerate. While this might seem obvious, US government recognition of this immutable fact cannot be taken for granted. The previous US administration, headed by a climate change denier president, heralded a 180-degree reversal in the US’ foreign policy position on climate change. Similar to the Biden administration’s rejoining the Paris Agreement after the Trump administration left it, the PACC initiative therefore is a welcomed signal and acknowledgement that this current US administration has returned to the longstanding US position of recognising climate change as a global and hemispheric crisis and priority.

    The PACC framework has two strategic objectives: strengthening energy security and promoting adaptation resilience. It also names four pillars for achieving these objectives: improving access to development financing, facilitating clean energy project development and investment to attract private investment in clean energy infrastructure and adaptation.

    The framework contains some noteworthy commitments. The US has committed to partnering with Caribbean countries and regional institutions to promote stable access to clean energy resources and resilient energy infrastructure. It also speaks to climate finance, such as a promise to develop bankable infrastructure projects, enhancing local capacity building and deepening collaboration with Caribbean partners. The US International Development Finance Corporation will be charged with exploring ways to increase access to DFC financing for climate and clean energy projects in underserved countries. Critically on the issue of inadequate criteria for accessing concessional finance, the US government has committed to advocate for improving access to international financing mechanisms to unlock additional financing for infrastructure projects.

    Next steps

    Laudable as many of the commitments might be, they are non-binding and best endeavour in general and little will come from them without the required follow-through by both the US and Caribbean governments, as well as the meaningful involvement of the private sector, the diaspora and civil society. It is, therefore, notable that following the summit, CARICOM and Dominican Republic leaders accepted a US proposal to establish three US-Caribbean joint committees to address US-Caribbean cooperation on three fronts: finance, energy and food security. In their communique, the Heads of Government revealed that the CARICOM chairs for the committees would be as follows: Prime Minister of Barbados, Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, for the Finance Committee; President of Guyana, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali, for the Food Security Committee; and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, for the Energy Security Committee. It is still unknown who will be the US co-chairs of these committees.

    The Heads of Government also noted the CARICOM Secretariat’s submission to the US of an initial list of CARICOM’s “near-term energy security, food security, and development/debt finance priorities” as advanced by the Co-Chairs of the respective Committees. It is not known publicly what is on this initial list and it is unclear why this should be treated as a confidential issue since matters of regional concern affect us all.

    There are some principal challenges for regional leaders to implement the commitments made at the summit. One is that the statements are non-binding and best endeavour non- time-bound commitments and are largely aspirational goals which need to be translated into concrete policy actions. A second is that there is the need for funding mechanisms for these proposals. Of some concern is that there was neither representation from the US Department of the Treasury nor the United States Trade Representative (USTR)’s office at the Summit, two agencies which would be central to the success of these initiatives.  

    Congressional action will also be needed to pass legislation to translate the initiatives into law and approve the funds necessary for financing the programmes emanating from these initiatives. Encouragingly, a congressional delegation from both houses, including Speaker Pelosi, attended the Summit and held a press briefing thereafter. Moreover, US Virgin Islands Representative in the US House of Representatives, Stacey Plaskett, introduced a non-binding resolution (H.Res 1168) “reaffirming the economic partnership between the United States and the Caribbean nations and recognizing the need to strengthen trade and investment between the United States and the Caribbean nations, our “Third Border”. Among other things, the draft resolution calls on the President to “prioritize and implement trade programs with the Caribbean region that promote sustainable and resilient economic development”.

    A third and not insignificant issue is the increasing polarisation and volatility in the US political landscape and whether the panoply of domestic issues facing the current Biden administration will truly allow for deeper hemispheric engagement. US foreign policy under the last administration had adopted a more insular “America first’ disposition, with limited hemispheric engagement, a rejection of multilateralism and a denial of climate change. While the Biden administration has reverted to the status quo on many of these issues, it has evinced very little appetite for the once longstanding US embrace of free trade. No doubt this more protectionist US posture is influenced by the groundswell of anti-trade sentiment among a politically important segment of the US electorate. The success and longevity of the 2022 Summit initiatives will, therefore, likely depend on the outcome of the presidential election of 2024.

    Conclusion

    The Summit of the Americas, while hailed as a failure by some and a success by others, cannot be seen in such absolutist terms. While the outcomes were not particularly earth shattering, there are some good initiatives that once fleshed out, well-funded and executed can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes for both the US and Caribbean countries.

    Alicia D. Nicholls, B.Sc.,, M.Sc., LL.B is an international trade specialist who specializes in foreign investment law and policy, global financial regulation and international business. She is the founder of the Caribbean Trade Law & Development Blog (www.caribbeantradelaw.com) and was one of the panelists at a recently held Global Americans and Caribbean Policy Consortium Webinar on the Summit whose recording may be accessed here.

  • Communique from 43rd Regular Meeting of CARICOM HoGs

    Communique from 43rd Regular Meeting of CARICOM HoGs

    CARICOM Secretariat: The Forty-Third Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held from 3-5 July 2022.  Chair of the Conference, the President of Suriname, His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi presided over the proceedings.
    Other Members of the Conference in attendance were: Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Gaston Browne; Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Honourable Philip Davis; Prime Minister of Barbados, Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C; MP; Prime Minister of Belize, Honourable John Briceño;  Prime Minister of Dominica, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit; Prime Minister of Grenada, Honourable Dickon Mitchell; President of Guyana, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister of Haiti, the Honourable Ariel Henry; Premier of Montserrat,  Honourable Joseph Farrell; Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Honourable Philip Pierre; the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves; and the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley.

    Jamaica was represented by Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; St Kitts and Nevis was represented by Ambassador Lionel Sydney Osborne, Ambassador to CARICOM.

    Associate Members in attendance were: Bermuda represented by Hon. Walter H. Roban Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs; British Virgin Islands represented by Premier, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley; and the Turks and Caicos Islands represented by Premier Honourable Charles Misick.

    OPENING CEREMONY
    The Opening Ceremony was addressed by the Chair of Conference His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, outgoing Chair Honourable John Briceño; Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Honourable Philip Davis; Prime Minister of Grenada, Honourable Dickon Mitchell; Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Honourable Philip Pierre; Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, Her Excellency Carla Barnett, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency António Guterres.

    Secretary-General Barnett underscored the need for the work of the Community to make a difference in the lives of its citizens. She said that the Conference was meeting at a time of severe global crisis in three vital areas, namely, food, energy, and finance.

    “Addressing solutions for our Region requires collective intellect and will to act together. This task is not beyond us, as we have proven time and again. Let us, therefore, once more unto the breach and make a difference in the lives of our people,” Secretary-General Barnett added.

    The United Nations Secretary-General said the meeting came at a moment of maximum peril for people and planet alike. He noted that CARICOM Member States were victims of the myth that middle-income countries did not need concessional financial support – a need that completely disregarded vulnerability to external shocks.

    He pointed to three areas of concern for consideration. He identified climate action that matches the scale and urgency of the crisis; reform of the morally bankrupt global financial system and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Prime Minister of The Bahamas said it was striking that so many of the Community’s most urgent struggles derived in great part from external causes. He noted that although responsibility for making the individual countries stronger and more resilient to the impact of external events lay within each government, the history of the Region made it clear that “we can have a greater impact if we also join forces and stand together.”

    “Too many times, our countries have acquiesced to the pressures of larger, more developed states. Their approach of divide and conquer has hurt us all,” he added. “The scaffolding for our regional architecture –the scaffolding for our future — is in our hands,” he said.

    The Prime Minister of Grenada noted that July 4th marked the 49th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas and provided an opportune time to pause and reflect on the many experiences in pursuit of regional integration.  “Over the last 49 years, we have had many moments of celebration coupled with moments that required solemn reflection, still all the while envisioning the future,” he said.

    The Prime Minister said he was excited and fully on board with the CARICOM 25% by 2025 Food Import bill Reduction strategy. “We must however transition to the next generation, along with new technologies and knowledge application to enhance agriculture production,” the Prime Minister said.
    He said now was a time for all the young people across the Caribbean Community. “This is your moment, where it is a Time for Action and a Time of Choosing,” he said.

    Prime Minister of Saint Lucia stated that the Russia-Ukraine war had left the entire world suffering from rising inflation, making life for most households very difficult, more so for the people of the region who were still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, which brought with it business closures, loss productivity, reduced tourism arrivals and the reduction in government revenues.

    “The demands on our public health system, which we shouldered to keep our people safe and the provision of social protection and support measures for vulnerable citizens have left governments of the region with very little fiscal space to move ahead to grow their respective economies,” he added.
    The Prime Minister said that despite those dangerous winds, Saint Lucia’s faith in CARICOM remained strong and unshaken and continued to believe in the potential strength and protective shelter that CARICOM could provide.

    The Prime Minister of Belize noted that the Community should be proud that it had been able to effectively exert strong and influential leadership at the global level. He said CARICOM’s leadership on climate and on access to finance was starting to bear fruit.

    “We have a standing invitation from the G20 Presidency of Indonesia to participate in their work, which is now extended to Suriname as the Incoming Chair. The IMF’s new Resilience and Sustainability Trust — not without its imperfections— is a direct response to our advocacy. The finalisation of the multidimensional vulnerability index is within sight,” he said.

    Chair of Conference, the President of Suriname said we found ourselves at a crossroads and it was the moment, to re-assess, refocus and recommit our endeavours, to ensure sustainable development and prosperity, for the people of the Region, ultimately aimed, at leaving no one behind.

    “But we require leadership and willingness, to go for broad cooperation. To go for a creative approach. To go for innovation in our approach, for new strategies. To go, for private sector involvement. To go, for the participation of the youth,” the Chair stated.

    He proposed the establishment of a Caricom Private Equity Fund, to support Caricom Enterprises and the facilitation of Partners, to set up private equity and debt funds, in the Region, to bolster employment and growth.

    All the full statements are available at www.caricom.org.

    ORDER OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY

    During the Opening Ceremony, three outstanding CARICOM citizens were conferred with the Community’s highest award the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC). Dame Billie Miller, former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados; Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, former CARICOM Secretary-General; and Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

    A fourth awardee was announced, Mr David Rudder, the exceptional calypsonian and he will be conferred at a later date.

    Ambassador LaRocque and Sir Vivian expressed their appreciation for being conferred with the award and Senator the Honourable Dr Jerome Walcott, who received the award on behalf of Dame Billie expressed appreciation on her behalf.

    The citations for the three who were awarded are available on www.caricom.org

    AGREEMENTS SIGNED AND RATIFIED

    Protocol to Amend Article 32 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (ratified by Barbados)

    Protocol to Amend the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy to Allow for Enhanced Cooperation among Member States and to Address Related Issues. (ratified by Barbados; signed by Saint Lucia)

    Protocol on Public Procurement for the Caribbean Community (signed by Haiti)

    Declaration of Intent to Provisionally apply the Protocol on Public Procurement for the Caribbean Community. (signed by Haiti)

    Protocol Amending the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to Incorporate the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) as an Organ of the Community and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) as an Institution of the Community. (signed by Haiti)

    Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions. (signed by Haiti)

    HEALTH

    COVID-19

    Heads of Government acknowledged that COVID-19 still remains a pandemic with a substantial number of cases still being reported across the Region. They commended the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)’s continued comprehensive response to COVID-19 in keeping with the Agency’s mandate.

    They also acknowledged that the impact of COVID-19 has demonstrated that, as countries advance towards recovery and resilience, a whole-of-government and society approach was needed which carefully balanced public health measures and economic recovery programmes.

    Heads of Government urged the multi-lateral financial institutions to recognise the urgent need for assistance as it is critical for Member States to strengthen social safety nets decimated by the support rendered to citizens during the COVID 19 pandemic.

    Heads of Government emphasised that this support was critical as there was genuine suffering and hardship being experienced by a significant number of people in the Region. They lamented the loss of face to face schooling time and its impact on the educational performance and all-round development of the students in the Community.

    Heads of Government emphasised responsible individual behaviours, vaccination, strengthened health systems and continued and enhanced vigilance, were all essential factors for successfully navigating through this current phase of the pandemic.

    Heads of Government recognised that measures should therefore be put in place to reduce the impact of COVID-19 taking into account the incidence of Long COVID which could result in a significant increase in chronic illness and disability that could potentially further overwhelm the health sector including its labour force, especially where countries already had a high burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). 

    Heads of Government noted that as the health sector moved towards recovery after COVID-19, it was an opportunity to restructure health care services and public health programmes using the lessons learnt during the pandemic to respond to re-emerging and new diseases which may cause pandemics.

    Heads of Government paid tribute to Dr Douglas Slater the retiring Assistant Secretary-General Human and Social Development at the CARICOM Secretariat and thanked him for his service to the Region.

    CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)

    Heads of Government expressed disappointment at the slow pace of implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and took immediate steps to move the process forward.
    They noted in particular the area of movement of skilled workers and in that regard agreed to definitions of and qualifications for household domestics, an agricultural worker and private security officer which are agreed categories for free movement.

    Heads of Government mandated the Secretariat to convene meetings of the Registrars of Companies and the Ministers with responsibility for companies before the end of July 2022 to elaborate the steps to enable Member States to implement the principle of mutual recognition of any company incorporated in another CARICOM Member State and report to the Conference at its meeting in September.

    Heads of Government acknowledged online solutions designed to increase efficiency in the delivery of services to the Region have been advanced. These include – the Labour Market Information System (LMIS), Online Companies Registry System (OCRS), the Community Public Procurement Notice Board (CPPNB), the CARICOM Rapid Alert System for Exchange of Information on Dangerous (non-food) Goods (CARREX) and the CARICOM Interactive Marketplace and Suspension Procedure (CIMSuPro).

    ADVANCING THE CARICOM AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS AGENDA
    Heads of Government received an update on the progress made by the Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security (MTF) in advancing the CARICOM Agri-Food Systems Agenda to address the current food security challenges and rising food prices and to achieve the 25 by 2025 Vision – the reduction of the food import bill by 25 percent by 2025.

    They noted that a majority of Member States have developed and submitted to the MTF their national targets, which will contribute to the attainment of the 25 by 2025 targets. The MTF, through the Secretariat, has developed a reporting and monitoring tool which Member States are requested to report on monthly.

    They mandated the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to conclude, by the end of July 2022, various initiatives and programmes, aimed at the removal of Non-Tariff Barriers to Intra-Regional Trade.

    Heads of Government requested the CARICOM Private Sector Organization Inc. (CPSO) to accelerate implementation for its various agricultural investment projects.

    The MTF, working in collaboration with the CPSO, has identified 19 potential investment opportunities for displacing extra-regional agri-food imports among CARICOM Member States.

    They commended the Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Agriculture and Agriculture Development in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet, His Excellency Mohammed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, for the success of the CARICOM Agri-Investment Forum and Expo held in Guyana from 19-21 May 2022 and endorsed the Action Plan and Outcome Statement of the event.

    The Statement called for priority action to be centred around four main areas; Food Insecurity, Regional Transportation, Trade Barriers, and Women and Youth in Agriculture.

    Heads of Government welcomed the Draft Terms of Reference (TOR) developed by the Secretariat for the establishment of a Regional Youth in Agriculture Advisory Mechanism which was agreed upon following the Regional Youth in Agriculture Dialogue during the Forum and Expo.  This Advisory Mechanism will assist the MTF in ensuring that youth participation and inclusion is accounted for in all its efforts to achieving 25 by 2025. 

    Heads of Government endorsed and encouraged participation in the Agri-Investment Forum to be held in Trinidad and Tobago from 19-21 August 2022.

    Heads of Government commended the work of the MTF.

    TRANSPORTATION

    Heads of Government considered the Region’s need for a significantly enhanced transportation system that can bolster food security and deepen regional integration.

    Heads of Government welcomed an update from the Prime Minister of Barbados on advanced discussions with the United Arab Emirates regarding support for both a traditional ferry and fast ferry service for the Region and noted that a related proposal from the Capital Abu Dhabi is being awaited.
    Heads of Government requested the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to commence the proposed roadmap study on the factors needed for successfully establishing a fast ferry service for the transportation of agricultural produce – with an initial focus on trade between Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and Barbados. 

    They agreed to establish a Working Group to provide oversight of the project which will include representatives from the Governments of Barbados, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the CARICOM Secretariat, Caricom Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), and the CDB.

    ENERGY SECURITY

    Heads of Government considered and approved a paper on Economic Development and Energy Transition and Climate Change as its overarching strategy in advancing energy security.

    They agreed to increase focus and investment in energy security by utilising and harnessing hydrocarbon resources in the region towards reducing dependency on external resources and supplying the growing global needs arising out of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

    Heads of Government agreed to pursue energy diversification and security through making use of significant assets in the Region with immediate existing capacity in LNG and fertiliser for agriculture.
    They also agreed to develop the renewable energy sector through building infrastructure to meet regional power generation needs.

    Heads of Government agreed, in the context of the bilateral relationship with the United States,to urge for the removal of the sanctions on Venezuela to allow for countries in the Region to benefit from the PetroCaribe initiative and for progress on the exploitation of cross-border natural gas fields between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.

    CARICOM INDUSTRIAL POLICY

    Heads of Government recognising the need for urgency in the development of an Industrial Policy Strategy for the Community added Suriname, as Lead Head for Industrial Policy, to the core membership of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on the CSME.

    Heads of Government agreed to establish a technical working group to focus on the implementation of the Policy and its recommendations would be considered and approved by a Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Industrial Policy chaired by Suriname.

    HAITI

    Heads of Government received an informative update on the situation in Haiti and welcomed developments which heralded the possibility of a dialogue process taking place to resolve the protracted multidimensional crisis. They urged that this process should be pursued to ensure a Haitian-owned resolution and encouraged all stakeholders to participate

    They also welcomed the possible acceptance of international observers including CARICOM to accompany the dialogue process.

    Heads of Government expressed grave concern at the deteriorating security situation and noted the efforts of Haiti’s international partners to strengthen the capacity of the Haitian National Police. They reiterated the offer of assistance to combat the challenge.

    Heads of Government underlined the importance of a CARICOM initiative outside the existing parameters to address the situation and which could include other regional partners. In that regard, they mandated the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) to undertake consultations with international partners, including the African Union, the Francophonie and the Community for Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to determine their readiness to assist.
    Heads of Government agreed that the Bureau of Conference expanded to include St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados and Jamaica should provide CARICOM leadership on Haiti.

    Heads of Government also agreed that a CARICOM fact-finding mission at high political level should take place in view of the security assurances given by the Government of Haiti.

    Heads of Government noted and supported Suriname’s hosting of a meeting of the International Partners Ministerial Level Meeting on Haiti to be held on 8 July 2022.

    Heads of Government support the renewal of the UN Office in Haiti (BINUH) as recommended by the UN Secretary General with a strengthened mandate taking into account the prevailing security situation.

    CLIMATE CHANGE

    Heads of Government acknowledged that all modelled scenarios indicate that the 1.5°C global warming level will be reached or exceeded in the near term with devastating implications for Small Island and low-lying coastal Developing States (SIDS).

    They noted that critical economic sectors and infrastructure would be severely affected by the impact of climate change. This would require considerable public and private investment and necessitate urgent access to adequate, predictable, affordable climate finance, at scale, to achieve climate resilient development.

    Heads of Government recognised, however, that the current international climate change architecture was not responsive to the urgent climate resilience requirements of CARICOM SIDS and is in immediate need of reform.

    They called for the simplification and streamlining of access criteria across donors and multilateral funds to accelerate climate finance to the Region, taking into account the unique and special circumstances of SIDS.

    Heads of Government agreed to the adoption of a two-pronged strategic Programme of Action to scale up climate finance towards building resilient economies and societies. This would entail focussed and active advocacy to secure the fair and equitable allocation of concessional finance, and a strategy for resource mobilisation.  In this regard, Heads of Government acknowledged the CDB’s Recovery Duration Adjustor model and called for the early adoption and implementation of a multi-dimensional vulnerability and resilience framework to facilitate the access of SIDS to more bilateral and multilateral concessional climate financing.

    Heads of Government further agreed that the CARICOM regional institutions operating in the climate change and climate finance space, would continue to coordinate and collaborate on key issues and emerging trends towards the formulation of a strategic approach to enhancing the Community’s access to climate finance.

    COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE

    Heads of Government discussed an initial paper on enhancing Community Governance with a view to facilitating more effective decision-making and timely follow up on the Community agenda.

    They welcomed the paper which set out a framework for addressing Governance issues in the immediate to medium term, focusing on improving the effectiveness of decision making as a critical factor in strengthening implementation.

    Heads of Government acknowledged that the role of the Organs, Bodies and Institutions was linked to the effectiveness of decision-making and implementation therefore a review of the decision-making processes in the Organs and Bodies was a critical precursor to strengthening Community governance.

    Heads of Government noted that the paper identified issues which prevented effective progress of the Organs and Bodies as well as the CARICOM Secretariat and outlined possible solutions. They also noted that there was an ongoing review of the Regional Institutions.

    Heads of Government mandated the Secretariat to implement the recommendations which did not need further authority from the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas while consideration was being given to re-constitute the Inter-Governmental Task Force to further revise the Treaty.

    Heads of Government commended the Secretary-General for her work on the paper and mandated her to work with the Lead Head of Government for Governance in the Quasi-Cabinet to advance the process.

    SECURITY
    Heads of Government welcomed a briefing on the security situation in the Community from the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).

    They agreed to accept its recommendations and also agreed to convene a meeting of the Conference to address Crime and Violence as a Public Health issue at the earliest opportunity.

    They mandated the Council for Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) to lead the preparations for the Meeting along with the Council for Health and Social Development (COHSOD) and relevant public health personnel.

    Heads of Government further agreed to improve sharing of gun crime intelligence with the regional gun crime unit and to strengthen the co-operation in sharing of intelligence among law enforcement personnel of Member States.

    REPARATIONS

    Heads of Government reiterated their call for Reparations for the victims of slavery and native genocide.

    They welcomed the call by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for a conversation on the effects of slavery.

    Heads of Government recommitted to advancing the work of the CARICOM Reparations Commission.
    Heads of Government agreed to continue seeking the support of the African Union and the Government of India in their quest for reparations for the victims of slavery and native genocide.

    SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS

    Heads of Government acknowledged the outcome of the Ninth Summit of the Americas which addressed health and resilience in the Americas, digital transformation, clean, sustainable renewable and just energy transition, sustainable green future, and democratic governance.   

    They were concerned, however, that its outcome did not adequately reflect issues of significance to the Community such as the post-pandemic recovery; climate financing; debt and debt financing; energy and food security; access to financing; firearms entering the CARICOM Region; and the importance of an inclusive Summit with the full participation of all the countries of the Americas.

    Heads of Government welcomed the exchange with the President of the United States to address some of their concerns. They accepted the proposal to establish immediately three joint committees to address cooperation on (i) Finance; (ii) Food Security; and (iii) Energy Security. 

    Heads of Government agreed that the work of these Committees would be monitored by the relevant Lead Heads of Government in the CARCIOM Quasi-Cabinet:  Prime Minister of Barbados, Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, for the Finance Committee; President of Guyana, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali, for the Food Security Committee; and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, for the Energy Security Committee.

    Heads of Government agreed that the co-chairs to represent the Community on the committees were Finance:  Professor Avinash Persaud, representing the Lead Head of Government (Barbados); Food Security:  Mr. Robert Persaud, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, representing the Lead Head of Government (Guyana); and Energy Security:  Honourable Stuart Young, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, representing the Lead Head of Government (Trinidad and Tobago).

    Heads of Government noted that the CARICOM Secretariat had also submitted to the United States an initial list of “near-term energy security, food security, and development/debt finance priorities” of CARICOM, as advanced by the Co-Chairs of the respective Committees.

    BORDER ISSUES

     Belize-Guatemala Relations

    Heads of Government received an update on the progress of Guatemala’s Territorial, Insular and Maritime Claim (Guatemala/Belize) at the International Court of Justice. They noted that Belize submitted its Counter Memorial to the Court on 3 June 2022.

    They noted with concern that the commitment by both countries and the Organization of American States (OAS) to design and develop a mechanism of co-operation for the Sarstoon River still remains pending and called on both countries and the OAS to redouble their efforts to this end.

    Heads of Government also urged Belize, Guatemala and the OAS to continue implementing fully the existing Confidence Building Measures.

    They reiterated their support for the important role of the OAS in the process aimed at resolving the dispute, arising from Guatemala’s claims on Belize; and called on the international community to continue supporting the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone.

    Heads of Government reaffirmed their steadfast support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Belize.

     Guyana-Venezuela Relations

    With respect to the case before the International Court of Justice concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela), Heads noted that Guyana had submitted its Memorial on 8 March 2022, in accordance with the schedule set by the ICJ to hear the case, concerning the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899 and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary between the two countries.

    Heads reiterated their full support for the ongoing judicial process that is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing controversy between the two countries.

    Heads reaffirmed their firm and unwavering support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.

    ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, LABOUR AND CIVIL SOCIETY

    Heads of Government welcomed presentations from the CARICOM Private Sector Organization Inc. (CPSO), the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) and a representative of the Youth in keeping with their commitment to engage with all stakeholders in the integration process.

    Heads of Government congratulated in particular, the youth of the Community on their active engagement and participation in the CARICOM Youth Forum held on 24 June 2022 and agreed that a format similar to that of the Youth Forum would be used for engagement with Civil Society prior to the meetings of the Conference.

     Heads of Government supported the proposal for a Youth Summit to be held in Suriname before the end of 2022.  

    BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

    Heads of Government welcomed the decision of the United Kingdom not to impose direct rule on the British Virgin Islands (BVI), an Associate Member of the Community, but are highly concerned that an Order in Council to impose direct rule on the people of the Territory has been placed on reserve that can be immediately brought into force at the United Kingdom Government’s discretion.

    Heads of Government declared that the imposition of direct rule, and the history of such imposition in the Caribbean, was never intended to deliver democratic governance or to be an instrument of economic and social development of our countries and peoples.

    Heads of Government recognised that the success and modernization of the BVI is due to the effort and initiative of its homegrown leadership.

    Heads of Government stated that the people of BVI and their duly elected representatives must be allowed every opportunity to provide good governance in the country with full transparency and accountability.

    They expressed faith in the leadership of Premier Wheatley and the Government of National Unity and commended their commitment to implement the recommendations for reform as mutually agreed by the BVI and the United Kingdom

    Heads of Government endorsed the UN Special Committee on Decolonization’s (C-24) approved draft resolution on the Question of the British Virgin Islands and will support its adoption at the next session of the UN Fourth Committee.

    They encouraged all parties concerned to approve a C-24 visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands.

    Heads of Government acknowledged that Member States will continue to support the British Virgin Islands’ decolonization process.

    FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY

    Heads of Government look forward to the Draft Programme for the observance of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Caribbean Community which will be prepared for their consideration before the end of 2022.

    This will allow for the inauguration of the 50th Anniversary Year in January 2023, with special events at the Thirty-Fourth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference, and the main celebratory event at the 44th Regular Meeting of the Conference in July 2023.  Celebratory events are expected to take place across the Community throughout a 12-month period.

    SPECIAL GUESTS

    UN Secretary-General

    Heads of Government welcomed the United Nations Secretary-General His Excellency António Guterres for an exchange of views. They re-affirmed the importance of multi-lateralism and thanked the Secretary-General for his interest in the Region and his advocacy on issues of critical importance to Member States.

    The Secretary-General stressed that the voice of the Region was very important in the discussions around climate change as the Caribbean was on the front line of the phenomenon.

    Heads of Government welcomed the assurance of his continued support in efforts to obtain debt relief, to reform the International Financial System and towards the use of a Multi-dimensional Vulnerability Index.

    OACPSSECRETARY-GENERAL

    Heads of Government welcomed the presentation of His Excellency Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, the Secretary General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), on addressing the challenges posed by shifts in the current geopolitical environment, climate change, and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    They noted that the new OACPS-EU Partnership Agreement has not yet been signed and that the transitional measures of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement have been further extended to June 2023.

    They emphasized the importance of intra-ACP collaboration and advocacy on the global issue of migration given the wide-spread acts of discrimination and injustice against migrants.
    Heads of Government urged the OACPS to take a leading and active role in supporting CARICOM in its quest for reparations and to obtain redress for slavery and other atrocities committed against persons of African descent.

    They agreed on the need to invest more time and effort in strengthening solidarity and cooperation to develop a common, strong stance in advocating on the issues of reparation and migration at the UN and other international fora.

    MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF SAUDI ARABIA

    Heads of Government welcomed His Excellency Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia.

    Heads of Government also welcomed the Minister’s suggestion that an institutional framework for engagements at the level of Leaders and Ministers should be established as well as a framework for investment in CARICOM.

    DATE AND VENUE OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH INTER-SESSIONAL MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE

    The 34th Intersessional Meeting of the Conference will take place in The Bahamas in February 2023.

    APPRECIATION

    Heads of Government expressed deep appreciation to the Government and people of Suriname for the generous hospitality received.