Prime Minister Freundel Stuart left Barbados today to attend the Heads of Government Conference of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which begins today and ends on Saturday at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre in Trinidad and Tobago.
Stuart is one of three regional leaders scheduled to address the formal opening ceremony of the summit which takes place later today, at the Diplomatic Centre at 6 p.m.
This year’s summit holds special significance, as it marks the 40th anniversary of CARICOM. The regional integration movement came into existence with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas in Trinidad and Tobago on July 4, 1973.
Other members of Barbados’ delegation include Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, Robert “Bobby” Morris; Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Sonja Welch; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Charles Burnett; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Bentley Gibbs; acting Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Cynthia Herbert; and Chief Research Officer, Paula Byer.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, will act as Prime Minister, from July 3 to July 7.
Stuart returns to Barbados on July 7. (BGIS)
