Pictured: Chairman of CARICOM Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica. (BIS Photo/Yontalay Bowe)

The 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) got underway with a clarion call for greater Caribbean integration among the 15 member-states and associates. The high-level summit is being held July 4-6 in Montego Bay Convention Centre, Jamaica.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert A. Minnis is heading The Bahamas delegation to 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), July 4-6, 2018 being held in Montego Bay Convention Centre, Jamaica.

Among the key agenda items are crime and security strategy, disaster management and climate change, and the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The opening ceremony at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Wednesday night showcased a taste of colourful Jamaican culture with performances by the Hertford Folk and Cultural Group.

Addressing the opening ceremony were: Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, secretary-general of CARICOM; Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Dr Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; Mia Mottley, newly-elected Prime Minister of Barbados; Jovenel Moise, President of the Republic of Haiti; and Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica and chairman of CARICOM.

The underlying message from the speakers was the need for deeper Caribbean integration to tackle the various issues facing the region as Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Haiti’s President Moise stressed the need for combined efforts in the integration process. “It is important that we combine our efforts to find ways and means to strengthen the process of regional integration,” he said.

Prime Minister of Barbados said the time has come for the activation of the single domestic space for hassle-free intra-regional travel and to introduce the long-discussed CARICOM multipurpose ID card.