46th CARICOM Opening Ceremony takes place

The 46^th Regular Meeting of the Conference between Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) opened on Sunday at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown, Guyana

CARICOM meetings, specifically the Conference of Heads of Government (HGC) have served as a crucial platform for regional discourse, collaboration and decision-making amongst member states.

The 46^th meeting kicked off with a colourful display of an opening ceremony on February 25, 2024, in Georgetown Guyana. The ceremony was a combined display of patriotism through the opening speeches and national anthems, awareness opportunities for the school children who were present, and a cultural display of dance and music performances. Twitter has been flooded with CARICOM 46 live updates and aforementioned performances.

CARICOM Chairman and President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali stepped up on stage and gave a feature address lasting 35-minutes. Dr Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General, and Roosevelt Skerrit, Outgoing Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Dominica also addressed the audience. The entire event was live-streamed by official government social media accounts for all those interested in the affair.

The commerce and business sessions of the four-day meeting will be held at the Guyana Marriot Hotel in Georgetown. Government heads will involve themselves in a panel and discussion with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, as well as with other high-importance attendees.

Discussions of the business sessions will include the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and an update on the implementation of the free movement of all Community Nationals by 31 March 2024, as mandated at the 45th Regular Meeting in July last year.

The meeting discussions are assumed to cover topics such as climate change and financing, regional security, specifically in regard to Haiti and border issues around the nation; financial matters of the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), regional transportation, execution of the 2024 ICC Men’s T-20 Cricket World Cup and much more.

The CARICOM Conference is scheduled to end with a media conference on Wednesday the 28^th.