Prime Minister Drew Commences High-Level Dialogue with CARICOM Leaders as Chair, Beginning with St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, January 20th (PMO) — Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, has begun a series of high-level engagements with regional leaders as part of his six-month tenure as Chair of the regional organization.

The first of these engagements took place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines today, January 20th, where Prime Minister Drew held constructive discussions with the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Hon. Dr. Godwin Friday, alongside the Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla Barnett, and other senior officials.

The meeting formed part of an interpersonal approach being pursued by Chairman Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Drew, aimed at strengthening dialogue, trust, and coordination among member states, particularly at a time of heightened global uncertainty and evolving regional dynamics.

During the discussions, the leaders reflected broadly on the importance of deepening regional integration in practical and meaningful ways, underscoring the need for Caribbean people to better understand and appreciate the tangible benefits derived from regional cooperation. Emphasis was placed on the value of collective action in areas such as education, security cooperation, disaster response, economic coordination, and institutional collaboration, all pillars that continue to support regional resilience and stability.

The engagement also reaffirmed a shared commitment to addressing regional challenges through calm, candid, and respectful dialogue, recognising that differences may arise but must be managed in a manner that preserves unity, strengthens institutions, and advances the collective interest of the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Drew reiterated that his chairmanship will be guided by purposeful leadership, people-centred integration and enhanced trade, and a renewed focus on outcomes that directly improve the lives of Caribbean citizens.

This meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines marks the first in a planned series of bilateral engagements that Prime Minister Drew will undertake with key CARICOM member states during his tenure as Chair. These visits are intended to help shape consensus ahead of upcoming regional meetings, including the fiftieth CARICOM Heads of Government engagements to be held in St. Kitts and Nevis from February 24th.