CLOSING STATEMENT BY THE HON. DR TERRANCE DREW, CARICOM CHAIR AND PRIME MINISTER OF ST KITTS AND NEVIS |27 FEBRUARY, 2026
I am happy to serve as Chair of the Caribbean Community and to have welcomed my colleague Heads of Government to this Fiftieth (50th) Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in my beautiful St Kitts and Nevis.
This week, every Member State and Associate Member was represented by their Head of Government or a designated Head of Delegation – in fact, we had 20 of the 21 Heads of Government of the Member States and Associate Members. I am advised that this is the first time in over ten years that there has been such high attendance. I extend my appreciation and gratitude to all my colleagues, from across the region, who took the time to attend and actively participate in the Meeting.
I also extend my appreciation to all delegates for their interest, dedication and commitment to the Meeting. Their presence over this week, was noted and their contributions were appreciated.
For this 50th Regular Meeting, we welcomed the following Special Guests:
H.E. Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers and Climate Envoy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
H.E. Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank.
H.E. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, United States
Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State – Foreign Affairs United Arab Emirates
And…
The Honourable Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General
In the margins of the Meeting, the following critical bodies of the Community convened:
- 16th Special Meeting of the Community Council
- 25th Special Meeting of the Council of Foreign and Community Relations
- 20th Meeting of the CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors
The deliberations of these groups were critical to achieving the overall Meeting’s outcomes.
The meeting also facilitated Member States to have bilateral engagements.
The 50th Regular Meeting deliberated on the following critical issues:
CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)
Heads of Government approved recommendations for the inclusion of approved categories of aviation personnel (aircraft maintenance engineers, professional pilots, air traffic controllers, flight operations officers), and the additional professions, in the category of Aviation Personnel.
REPARATIONS
Heads of Government requested the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee (PMSC) on Reparations to review and advise on the revised “CARICOM Ten-Point Plan for Reparations: A Manifesto”, as well as on priority activities for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for Antigua and Barbuda in November, and other strategic Meetings, in 2026.
UWI INDIGENISATION PROCESS
Heads of Government welcomed the Report on the progress of the indigenisation of The University of the West Indies, and endorsed supplanting the Royal Charter with a Treaty signed and ratified by CARICOM Member States.
The proposed Treaty completes the indigenisation of The University of the West Indies by anchoring it within a CARICOM treaty framework, while preserving the autonomy, governance, and academic freedom that were characteristic features of the Royal Charter.
Heads of Government expressed their appreciation to Professor Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor, for leading the process.
THE SITUATION IN HAITI
Heads of Government received an update from the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on the status of recent political developments in Haiti and on the security and humanitarian situation.
They expressed their deep appreciation to the Government of Kenya for its unhesitating willingness to take on leadership of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which has now transitioned to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) authorised by Resolution 2793.
They commended the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) for their wise and strategic facilitatory role under CARICOM’s Good Offices support to Haiti.
The Conference reiterated CARICOM’s firm commitment to the restoration of peace and stability in Haiti and expressed support for the framework for improving security and holding of elections put forward by the Prime Minister of Haiti.
REGIONAL SECURITY
Heads of Government commended the High-Level Representative on Law and Criminal Justice on his fourth report on regional security. They noted the progress made on drafting model legislation and policy papers on criminal justice and legislative reform.
They welcomed the offer from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to work with CARICOM to expand and implement a Police Record Management Information System (PRMIS).
FINANCING AND GOVERNANCE
Heads of Government agreed to establish a committee comprising Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Honourable Roosevelt Skerritt, Prime Minister, Dominica; His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali, President, Guyana; and Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister, Jamaica, to review the governance and financing of the Community.
BORDER ISSUES
Guatemala-Belize and Belize–Honduras
Heads of Government received an update on the Guatemala-Belize and the Belize–Honduras cases before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). They commended the Parties for seeking a peaceful resolution to all legal claims against Belize’s land and insular territories and any maritime areas pertaining to those territories. They called on all Parties to abide by and implement the ICJ decisions when delivered.
Heads of Government reaffirmed their steadfast support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Belize.
Guyana – Venezuela
Heads of Government received an update on the latest developments regarding the Guyana-Venezuela controversy pending before the International Court of Justice.
Heads of Government reaffirmed their full support for the ongoing judicial process as the means for resolving the controversy peacefully, finally and in accordance with international law, and reiterated their unequivocal and unwavering support for the maintenance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.
IMPLEMENTATION OF FULL FREE MOVEMENT / PROTOCOL ON ENHANCED COOPERATION
Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines reported that free movement among themselves successfully commenced on 1 October 2025, and that they continue to strengthen the necessary administrative, legislative and institutional frameworks identified.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE REVISED TREATY OF CHAGUARAMAS ON THE CARICOM RULES OF ORIGIN
Heads of Government adopted the draft protocol to allow an amendment of Schedule 1 of the Revised Treaty to be implemented by a decision of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).
Schedule 1 concerns the list of conditions to be complied with, as provided under Article 84 of the Treaty, and the Rules regarding Community Origin.
CARICOM INDUSTRIAL POLICY
Heads of Government endorsed the draft CARICOM Industrial Policy and Strategy Framework, which is intended to provide a framework for a coordinated approach to industrial development across the Region.
They reaffirmed the need to foster market-led, internationally competitive and sustainable industries that promote both economic and social development across Member States.
EXTERNAL TRADE
Heads of Government received a report on preparations for the fourteenth Ministerial Conference of the WTO (MC14), scheduled to take place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26-29 March 2026.
The report outlined the key issues expected to drive discussions, and considerations to guide Member States’ engagement, during the conference.
FORTHCOMING SUMMITS INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY
CARICOM will utilise upcoming Summits in 2026 to advance critical regional priorities including:
- Twenty-eighth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) – Antigua and Barbuda, 1- 4 November 2026
- Fifth CARICOM-Mexico Summit
Closing
To conclude, this 50th Regular Meeting was a resounding success in many ways.
We had full participation from every State and Associate Member and we were able to deliberate and finalize a number of issues.
Coordinating Meetings of this nature, is no easy task. I therefore would like to express my appreciation to:
- The Secretary-General, Dr Barnett who led the coordination efforts on the CARICOM Secretariat side. She and her team at the CARICOM Secretariat have been working hard over the last few months.
- Similarly, the Government of St Kitts and Nevis and the local organizing Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary and my Permanent Secretary.
- The people of St Kitts and Nevis for showing our visitors the warmth and kindness warmth and kindness
- Delegates for their participation and dedication to the process
- Members of the Diplomatic Corps
- Support teams, protocol officers, liaisons, security forces, media teams
- Services providers – The Marriott St Kitts, AV teams, technical support teams
- Members of the media for staying throughout the period and covering the meeting
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