BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, February 18, 2020 – Bahamas Prime Minister the Most Honourable Dr. Hubert Minnis is among the Caribbean leaders attending the 31st Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) that convened in Bridgetown this morning at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Included in The Bahamas’ delegation attending the two-day meeting are the Hon. Darren A. Henfield, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Hon. Reuben Rahming, Bahamas Ambassador to CARICOM States; and Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson. On Monday evening, the Prime Minister hosted a reception for Bahamians living and studying in Barbados.
The 31st Inter-Sessional Meeting is being chaired by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who assumed the chairmanship CARICOM for a six-month period that commenced on January 1, 2020.
Heads are expected to examine the status of implementation of provisions of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Among other pressing economic development matters, the meeting is expected to discuss digital transformation in CARICOM and an action plan for elimination of regional roaming charges. The need for ongoing advocacy against the challenges of blacklisting, de-risking, and withdrawal of Correspondent Banking Services is also expected to get the Head’s attention.
The Heads are also expected to discuss a proposed CARICOM African Summit among a number of Foreign and Community relations matters. They are also expected to address crime, violence and security issues affecting the region.
Tuesday’s opening session got underway at 9:00 a.m. with opening remarks from CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; Out-going CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet of Saint Lucia; and CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados.
Their remarks were supposed to be followed by a presentation from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but on Monday Prime Minister Trudeau called Prime Minister Mottley and CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque to indicate that “due to pressing domestic matters he could not travel to Barbados to meet with his CARICOM counterparts during their 31st Intersessional Meeting which will be held from 18-19 February,” according to a statement from the Canadian Prime Minister’s office. However, Mr. Trudeau reiterated “his desire for strengthening the ties between the Region and Canada and looked forward to another opportunity to interact with CARICOM Heads of Government.”
Canadian Foreign Minister the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne is attending the Barbados meeting. CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador LaRocque met with the Canadian Foreign Minister on Monday.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland is also attending the meeting as a special guest. Twelve of the 15 CARICOM countries are members of the Commonwealth.
Prime Minister Minnis is scheduled to return to The Bahamas on Thursday. During his absence, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest is serving as Acting Prime Minister.
