From Office of the Premier

Post-CARICOM Meeting Overview

Premier Alden McLaughlin recently returned from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, where he attended the Thirty Fourth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

This year’s meetings were set against the backdrop of celebrations for CARICOM’s 40th Anniversary.  This included a return to the Chaguaramas Convention Centre for a special ceremony commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which gave birth to CARICOM 40 years ago.

The agenda included discussions and exchanges of views on a wide range of topics including transportation in the region, persons with disabilities and special needs, a framework for regional economic growth and development, human resource development and health, as well as exchanges of views with special guests, such as: the Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, the President of the Dominican Republic and the President of Venezuela.

The Premier was recognized and officially welcomed as the newest Head of Government in attendance by the Chair of the Conference, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

In reflecting on his visit, Mr. McLaughlin noted, “It was indeed a privilege to be in attendance at this most important meeting of regional leaders.  While as an associate member of CARICOM not all the agenda items are applicable to us, there were many areas of common interest.  The challenges facing all CARICOM nations are great, particularly on the economic front and the discussions put Cayman’s current issues in context for me.   It was also essential for me to attend in terms of a relationship building process.  It is important to foster fraternal relations with our neighbours within the region.  This conference allowed me to rekindle friendships with many of the regional leaders whom I already know and to develop relationships with some of the others that I met for the first time”.

“For me, it was highly instructive and enlightening to hear the concerns raised by my colleagues.  While it is only natural to tend to view our individual situations as vastly different from other countries’, there are often times many striking similarities which create real opportunities for us to learn from each other”, the Premier added.

He continued, “There are some countries in the region facing critical and even dire situations, but there are also success stories and things that others are doing well.  This creates hope and inspiration.”

Section 55(4)(a) of the Cayman Islands 2009 Constitution, specifies that the Governor shall, acting after consultation with the Premier, assign or delegate to the Premier or another Minister, responsibility for the conduct of external affairs insofar as they relate to any matters falling within the portfolios of Ministers, namely the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The Premier was accompanied by the Cabinet Secretary given the Cabinet Office’s responsibility for coordinating diplomatic, regional and international affairs delegated to the Premier.

The Cabinet Office has published costs associated with travel to this conference.  It should be noted that as host country, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago provided complimentary accommodations and transportation during the conference for all Heads of Government of Member States.

Please also see attachments showing the premier’s and the Cabinet’s Secretary’s travel costs

Photo captions: Photos by CARICOM

1.          The convention centre where the heads of Government met on the 40th anniversary of CARICOM.

2.         Premier Alden McLaughlin during the recent meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in early July.

3.         Cayman Islands Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin with the Prime Minister of Jamaica Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller. (Low-res) by Cabinet Office