PM Mottley urged to tackle crime and food insecurity as CARICOM chair

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has been urged to address the Caribbean’s escalating violent crime and food insecurity as she assumes the rotating chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Professor Justin Robinson, principal of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, called for urgent regional collaboration to combat these critical issues threatening the quality of life across the island nations.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY, he noted that these issues demand regional collaboration to enhance the quality of life within the island and region as a whole.

“Barbados, like a number of Caribbean nations, is facing a surge in violent crime,” Professor Robinson said. “The regional nature of the phenomenon suggests the need for a regional solution or at least the sharing of best practices and information.”

Beyond crime, Professor Robinson raised the need to improve access to affordable healthy food options, thereby addressing the ongoing challenge of food insecurity.

“Barbados continues to grapple with the mortality, morbidity, and sheer costs of the Chronic Non-Communicable Disease crisis,” he said. “The available evidence suggests that a healthy diet is quite an expensive one in Barbados. The bad stuff is cheaper and readily available, while the healthier food is more expensive and not readily available.”

Professor Robinson proposed that CARICOM could play a critical role in alleviating these issues by improving the movement of fresh produce across the region.

“The capacity to move fresh fruits and vegetables across the region may go some way to addressing this issue,” he said, noting the need for collaborative regional strategies.

While addressing these pressing home affairs, the economist further noted that Mottley’s leadership should also focus on advancing regional resilience through climate adaptation and technological innovation.

“The world reached a critical tipping point in 2024, and few seem to have noticed. Global temperatures surpassed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time in recorded history, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S),” he said. “PM Mottley can use her chairmanship to lead an ambitious Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Caribbean.”

The UWI academic noted the importance of a well-articulated strategy to attract funding for climate initiatives, stating that, “A clear strategy and plan is a critical first step, and then a funding strategy targeting regional and global funds can be articulated. A clear and well-articulated plan has the best chance of attracting the required funding.”

He also raised the role of artificial intelligence (AI)in addressing regional challenges, suggesting this as another important focus matter for the prime minister in her role as head of CARICOM.

“In the fight against crime, predictive policing powered by AI can analyse patterns to preempt criminal activity, while surveillance technologies bolster public safety. For the climate crisis, AI optimises energy use, enhances disaster modelling, and supports precision farming, making agriculture more efficient and resilient,” Professor Robinson said.

Touching too, on the potential of AI in healthcare, he added that artificial intelligence promises breakthroughs in combating chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and heart disease, noting that “from early diagnosis to personalised treatment, AI can revolutionise regional health outcomes.”

The professor urged Mottley to address these interconnected challenges stating: “PM Mottley’s ability to articulate a vision for the Caribbean, paired with her unwavering commitment to action, positions her uniquely to harness the power of collaboration and innovation to address these critical issues.”

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb