By Sue-Ann Wayow
MINISTER of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers is leading the Trinidad and Tobago delegation at the CARICOM summit in Jamaica.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is not attending the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.
This year’s theme of the Conference is “People, Partnerships, Prosperity: Promoting a Secure and Sustainable Future.”
In a media release on Saturday, the ministry stated T&T’s contingent include Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs and head of the Foreign Service Randall Karim, T&T Ambassador to CARICOM Ralph Maraj and director of CARICOM and Caribbean Affairs Ayesha Wharton.
The CARICOM meeting takes place from Sunday until Tuesday at the Montego Bay Convention Centre and will be hosted by Prime Minister of Jamaica Dr Andrew Holness.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry release stated that Persad-Bissessar has sent written greetings to Holness and briefed her ministers on the critical role placed by her administration on relations between Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Community.
The release also stated in advance of the meeting Persad-Bissessar engaged virtually in discussions with her regional counterparts to advance Trinidad and Tobago’s positions on several items on the agenda including the Caricom Single Market and Economy, Advancing the Caricom Agri-Food Systems Agenda-Prioritising Regional Food and Nutritional Security and the Report from the Prime-Ministerial Sub-Committee on External Negotiations.
During the CARICOM meeting, Sobers is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson- Smith, on matters of mutual interest between both countries, including regional energy initiatives, trade and investment relations, cultural exchanges, immigration issues, and potential areas of cooperation in national and regional security.
Alexander is also set to engage with Jamaica’s Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang on matters of mutual concern.
Alexander is also set to participate in the Jamaica Constabulary Force Security Technology Expo that will take place in Montego Bay from July 6 to 8.
Outgoing Chair Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley is expected to address Sunday’s ceremony along with Dr Holness and CARICOM’s General Secretary Dr Carla Barnett.
Special guests include Valdecy Urquiza, a Brazilian Police Commissioner, who was appointed as Secretary General of INTERPOL in November 2024 and Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS)Albert Ramdin.
Already, Trinidad and Tobago has paved the way for the event, having won both the male and female overall categories in the CARICOM 10K Road Race, a precursor to the conference.
