{"id":178783,"date":"2023-07-05T10:25:04","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T14:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=178783"},"modified":"2023-07-05T10:28:17","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T14:28:17","slug":"commonwealth-secretary-general-commends-caricom-on-50th-anniversary-and-pledges-continued-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commonwealth-secretary-general-commends-caricom-on-50th-anniversary-and-pledges-continued-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Commonwealth Secretary-General commends CARICOM on 50th anniversary and pledges continued support"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, joined Caribbean leaders and eminent guests yesterday to celebrate the 50 years of CARICOM\u2019s leadership, unity and progress, while pledging her continued support to the organisation.<\/p>

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She paid tribute to the organisation at the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Port-of-Spain on 4 July 2023.<\/p>\n

The conference was hosted by the Rt Hon Keith Christopher Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and chaired by H.E. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica.<\/p>

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On 4 July 1973, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago signed the Treaty of Chaguaramas in Trinidad and Tobago, which led to the establishment of the Caribbean Community. Today, CARICOM has 15 members – of which 12 are part of the Commonwealth – and five associate members. Speaking on CARICOM\u2019s 50th anniversary, the Commonwealth Secretary-General expressed her pride and admiration for the Caribbean, adding:<\/p>

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\u201cToday is a great day for the Caribbean and a special day for the Commonwealth, as we come together to celebrate CARICOM\u2019s golden jubilee. The Caribbean, despite its relatively small size, has consistently been at the forefront of tackling the most significant challenges of our time.\u201c<\/p>\n

Their contributions have enriched our Commonwealth family in immeasurable ways, and today our partnership, grounded in principled and practical action, on a wide array of initiatives is stronger than ever before.\u201d<\/p>

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During the establishment of CARICOM, Caribbean leaders confronted a period marred by racism, inequality, climate change and economic issues. Secretary-General Scotland, acknowledging their visionary leadership and unwavering dedication, commended their efforts in building a brighter future for generations to come.<\/p>\n

She also applauded the Caribbean\u2019s leadership in advocating for the reform of the global financial system, particularly through the Bridgetown Initiative, spearheaded by Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, while reiterating the Commonwealth\u2019s full support for the effort. Secretary-General Patricia Scotland went on to speak about the Commonwealth\u2019s longstanding engagement with the Caribbean, highlighting milestones, such as:<\/p>

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