With the world reeling from all kinds of problems, it cannot be business as usual for Barbados and other member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Incoming CARICOM chair Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley sounded that warning last night as she called for urgent solutions to the pressing concerns facing Caribbean people, including the climate crisis, finally achieving full freedom of movement in the region, reducing the cost of living, fixing an education system that is “in shambles”, achieving food security, and reducing gun violence and an overall worrying crime situation.
Addressing the opening of the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Mottley said it was also necessary for CARICOM as an institution to be reformed.
This included establishing independent funding mechanisms and reviewing governance structures.
The Prime Minister’s call for solutions and meaningful change was heard by an audience which included President The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, and president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
“What is clear is that it cannot be business as usual. We have come to Bridgetown in this year of 2025 at a time when the world is reeling, reeling from all kinds of problems, the climate crisis; we don’t need anyone to tell us about it,” she said.
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