CARICOM leaders to tackle CSME, reparations, Haiti in Basseterre 

Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are headed to Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis for the bloc’s 50th regular summit, where they will engage high-profile international guests and address pressing regional challenges including its single market, the crisis in Haiti, border disputes and reparations.

According to a provisional agenda released by the Georgetown-based CARICOM Secretariat, the leaders will discuss adding aviation personnel for the list of skilled nationals who may live and work in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). They will also discuss proposed amendments to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Schedule 1 on rules of origin, which determine whether a product is eligible for duty-free treatment as a CARICOM product.

Topping the list of international VIPs to meet with the leaders are Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and Dr George Elombi, president and chairman of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), which opened a CARICOM office in Barbados last year. The topic of reparations for the transatlantic slave trade is also expected to be a talking point at the summit.

The heads are expected to go behind closed doors to tackle crime and security issues facing the 15-nation region. It includes an update from the High-Level Representative on Law and Criminal Justice, the situation in Haiti, and geopolitical developments with the recent about-face in international relations by the United States under President Donald Trump.

Border issues include member state Belize’s borders with Guatemala and Honduras, and Guyana’s ongoing territorial dispute with Venezuela. The heads will also meet on the application by British overseas territory Bermuda to join the bloc as an associate member.

The community’s budget and governance, alongside a progress report on the process to indigenise the University of the West Indies, round out the core discussions, according to the provisional agenda.

The leaders will also continue to receive updates on the implementation of full freedom of movement between Barbados and three other member states, the state of CARICOM’s industrial policy, regional transport, foreign trade issues ahead of the next meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), climate change and finance, and agri-food systems for food security.

CARICOM will also consider its participation in a range of upcoming joint summits with Cuba, the Tenth Summit of the Americas, and the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, set for Antigua and Barbuda in November.