Bermuda Delegation Attends CARICOM Meeting
Minister of Home Affairs Alexa Lightbourne joined Premier David Burt and MP Christopher Famous as part of Bermuda’s delegation to the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, which concluded on Friday, February 27 in St. Kitts and Nevis.
A spokesperson said, “The Conference, hosted by CARICOM Chairman, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, received significant international attention. Among those addressing the gathering were Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir; the President and Chairman of the Board of Afreximbank, Dr. George Elombi; United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio; United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi; and Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey; underscoring the Caribbean’s growing strategic importance on the global stage.
“On the margins of the Conference, MP Christopher Famous participated in the CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors meeting on February 26. The Committee, chaired by Ambassador Esmond Reid of Jamaica, advanced work supporting the Review of Community Institutions and agreed to establish a working group to examine the Conference’s Rules of Procedure.
“In addition to several bilateral meetings with Heads of CARICOM countries, Minister Lightbourne also attended a reception hosted by Global Brands Group in partnership with Republic Bank, at which Prime Minister Drew reinforced the importance of continued collaboration and mutual support between the greater Caribbean islands.
“Bermuda’s delegation also hosted a meet-and-greet with members of the Bermudian diaspora in St. Kitts and Nevis, offering attendees an opportunity to engage directly with Premier Burt and reflect on the deep historical and familial connections between Bermuda and St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Minister Lightbourne said, “Our region is strongest when we act with clarity, collaboration, and shared purpose.
“CARICOM provides a platform for small island states to coordinate our response to global economic and geopolitical shifts and to advocate collectively for the interests of our people.”
The spokesperson said, “The Minister noted that Bermuda’s continued engagement with CARICOM strengthens relationships and supports ongoing dialogue regarding Bermuda’s evolving relationship with the regional body.”
“Our participation reinforced our intentions to meaningfully participate in CARICOM and allowed us to continue thoughtful discussions about what deeper engagement could mean specifically for Bermuda,” she said. “Any future pathway will, of course, be guided by what best advances Bermuda’s economic resilience and long-term stability.”
