Incoming Caribbean Community (CARICOM) chairman and St Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre yesterday challenged regional leaders to transform CARICOM from an organisation known for declarations, into one that delivers tangible results, warning that Caribbean people are demanding action on crime, climate change, food security and the rising cost of living.
Opening the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in the St Lucian capital Castries, Pierre acknowledged that the region is facing unprecedented challenges, from geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty to climate disasters and growing insecurity.
“Our people are asking a serious and legitimate question, ‘What more can CARICOM do for me?’ The question is not an attack on this community, but a genuine appeal for solutions,” he stated.
The prime minister said his chairmanship would be guided by a simple principle: “CARICOM must move from conference rooms to communities, from rhetoric to reality, from communiqués to results.
Regional cooperation
“Our people must be able to see and feel the benefits of regional cooperation. It is not enough for us to agree on principle; we must implement in practice . . . . Integration that our people cannot feel will not last.”
Calling for greater accountability, he said every regional commitment must have “ownership, timelines and accountability” and answer one question: “How will this improve the lives of our people?”
He also appealed to those present, including Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, and outgoing chairman Dr Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, for greater unity among member states, noting that divisions only weaken the region’s influence internationally.
“The world has often benefited from Caribbean disunity, but when the Caribbean speaks with one voice, when we act together, when we negotiate as a bloc, our collective influence is far greater.”
Crime and citizen security featured prominently in his address as Pierre warned that organised crime, illegal firearms trafficking, gangs, cybercrime and drug trafficking were regional problems requiring a coordinated response.
“Crime affects families. It affects communities. It affects schools. It affects businesses. It affects investor confidence. It affects tourism,” he said.
He stressed that policing alone would not solve the problem.
“Security is not only about enforcement. It’s also about prevention. It’s about giving young people alternatives to crime . . . . A safer Caribbean must also be a more hopeful Caribbean.”
Climate finance
On climate change, Pierre argued Caribbean nations continue to pay the highest price for a crisis they did little to create.
“We cannot accept a global system that preaches our resilience while denying us the resources to survive,” he declared, calling for greater access to climate finance, debt relief and stronger international support.
He also urged CARICOM to deepen food security efforts by supporting regional farmers and fishers so that “more Caribbean food feeds Caribbean people”, while calling for a regional strategy on artificial intelligence to protect digital sovereignty and prepare workers for the changing global economy.
Pierre concluded by reminding leaders that young people were judging the relevance of CARICOM by its actions.
“They are asking whether CARICOM speaks to their future . . . . We must answer these questions, not in slogans, but with action.”
CARICOM Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett echoed Pierre’s call for implementation, saying regional integration has always been a practical response to shared challenges.
She said while CARICOM had strengthened the Single Market and Economy through expanded skilled labour movement and improved trade rules, much work remained.
“The challenges we face call us to redouble our efforts,” Barnett said.
Over the next two days, CARICOM leaders will deliberate on regional security, Haiti, climate resilience, food security, economic integration, artificial intelligence and youth development as they seek to chart the Community’s future amid mounting global uncertainty.
(NS)